Ghana is safe; UK, Canada painting a negative picture – UN Association Rep

The Executive Director for United Nations Association Chapter- at large Ghana, Dr. Mawuli Eleblu Darlington has revealed that Ghana is one of the safest places in the world, downplaying concerns raised by the UK and Canadian governments.

According to D. Eleblu Darlington, the security alerts issued by the two countries to their nationals resident in Ghana is a move which is merely painting a gloomy picture about the otherwise hospitable country, Ghana.

The comments by Dr. Mawuli Eleblu Darlington come on the back of security alerts issued by the governments of United Kingdom and Canada after 2 Canadian women were kidnapped. The two have since been rescued by National Security Operatives, a statement by Ghana’s Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has stated.

“Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Ghana. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. Terrorist groups associated with al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Islamic State of Libya and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) present a threat in the region. These groups have demonstrated capability and intent by mounting attacks against security forces and civilians in several countries, most recently in Burkina Faso and Mali”, the statement from the UK government website read.

The alert continued that “while there have been no recent attacks in Ghana, you should remain vigilant, particularly in northern border areas and in busy public locations (including beach resorts, hotels, cafes, restaurants and places of worship) across the country,” the alert on the UK government website stated.”

The Canadian Embassy in Ghana also in a tweet issued an alert to its nationals in Ghana to be conscious on their security in the wake of Tuesday’s kidnapping of two of its nationals in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi. “Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone or displaying signs of wealth. Ensure that windows and doors in your residence are secured”, some excerpts of the tweet by the Canadian Embassy read.

But commenting on the issue, the Executive Director for the United Nations Association Chapter- at large Ghana, Dr. Mawuli Eleblu Darlington said the alerts are unwarranted adding that Ghana remains a safe haven for all.

“When we heard of the insecurity, we looked deep into it and asked ourselves what is really going? These days, you and I know that the Takoradi kidnapping and the man arrested with gun at church make life a little uncomfortable. I read from GhanaWeb that the Canadian government has warned its citizens. Recently, I heard that UK has done same. When things like this are going on, it will be as if Ghana is not safe. But the truth of the matter is Ghana is one of the safest places in the whole world. They are giving a negative exposure to Ghana and this is what we want to clear. ” he explained.

He continued that “we want the world to know that Ghana is safe and it is not as if what the other embassies are trying to portray. For how long now that embassies in the country have not been warning their citizens that there will terrorist attacks in Ghana? However, it never happens”.