GITMO two: Let’s hit the streets – Rev Bonsu

Ghanaians must hit the streets to protest the Mahama-led government’s decision to house two ex-detainees of the Guantanamo Bay penitentiary.

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its flagbearer have kicked against the presence of Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby. The duo is being offered humanitarian assistance in Ghana, having spent 14 years in the dreaded Guantanamo Bay penitentiary.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference is one of the leading organisations putting pressure on the government to send back the suspects.

The president of the Bishops Conference Most Rev Joseph Osei Bonsu has told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM that Ghanaians must resort to demonstration if that is the only action that could get the government to repatriate the two ex-Guantanamo detainees.

He said the Conference will not relent till government does the right thing.

“No terrorist will come and tell you that I’m a terrorist… there are problems here already. Ghanaians should wake up and if it’s necessary for Ghanaians to take to the streets to show that they are serious they should do so… absolutely, I will be part of the demonstration in this particular instance because our security is paramount,” Most Rev. Bonsu stressed.

Meanwhile, the two ex-Guantanamo inmates have assured Ghanaians that they are not security threats to the nation.

The two said they are thirsty for peace and finds it in Ghana and will “live a normal life”.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Ghana, the Yemenis, who will be living in Ghana for the next two years under a US special programme with the West African country denied being terrorists, arguing they were wrongfully detained at the Guantanamo Bay.

“We want to thank the president and the good people of Ghana for the decision they made to accept us,” they said.

“We are not a part or against any group like Al Qaeda or other things. We do not belong to any part of them.

“We are here and want to live a normal life. We have been wrongly arrested for 14 years without any charge against us.

“We want to live in Ghana quietly and peacefully. We are happy for the warm reception accorded to us,” they added.