Rawlings is not a threat to national security - Nunoo-Mensah

The National Security Advisor, Brigadier Gen. Nunoo-Mensah has denied reports that Ghana's National Security has mounted a 24-hour surveillance on former President Jerry Rawlings.

The Daily Post Newspaper reported on Wednesday, June 23, that the Government is taking that action out of fear that Mr. Rawlings, a staunch critic of President John Mills and his own party could spring a surprise on them.

The report further stated that the surveillance mounted on the former President was not restricted to Ghana but even when he travelled outside the country.

The former President was involved in a couple of coups before becoming a civilian President in the early 90s.

In an interview with Citi News however, Brigadier Gen. Nunoo-Mensah said Mr. Rawlings is not a threat to national security in any way for such surveillance to be put on him.

?It is just a fabrication. There is not even an iota of truth in the report that security institutions are putting surveillance on the former president, I mean it is nowhere near the truth?How can I place surveillance on former President Rawlings.? I can call him and we could meet in the next five minutes so why should I place surveillance on him? It doesn't make sense whatsoever.? He said.

Brigadier Nuuno-Mensah added that on hearing the report, he checked with the National Security Coordinator to verify its authenticity but he also denied knowledge of any such move.

?When I read the story, I called the National Security Coordinator and asked him indeed if anything of that sort was happening; I know it's not happening but just to make sure that it's not happening behind me, and he denied such a thing has ever remotely passed his mind. There is no truth whatsoever, so I'm surprised about the media reports.? He said.

He therefore charged the media houses that put out the report to provide evidence to buttress their claims.