Top politicians fly out for fear of ‘bloodshed’

In spite of assurances by various security capos that nothing untoward will happen after the Supreme Court delivers its ruling on Thursday, 29th August, 2013, several Ghanaians including several top shots appear unconvinced and are flying out of the country in droves together with their relatives to safety.

Information available to The Independent from some foreign missions in Ghana indicates that several high profile personalities including politicians, top business men and women have already secured travelling documents for relatives to leave the country and observe what might happen after the verdict and return if need be.

Others had already made their way out of the country under the pretext of going on a business trip or securing education for their wards.

The foreign missions that have been inundated with applications for travelling documents over the past weeks to facilitate their passage out of the country are the United Kingdom High Commission, the US Embassy, and the Canadian High Commission.

The other foreign missions appear to be experiencing such movements but these three are significantly on top. Those who already have multiple visas have little difficulty.

Our checks at the various airline agencies also pointed to the fact that requests for airline tickets have skyrocketed in the last couple of weeks with some organisations putting the sale of tickets on hold for fear of over subscription.

The foreigners in Ghana are not left out of the ‘escape’ mission. Inside information from the US Embassy says many US nationals especially those on exchange programs and aid assignment are hurrying out of the country.

The desire of these foreign nationals to leave the country became certain following warning from the United States Embassy to its citizens that the potential for violence in the run -up to the Supreme Court verdict and after, could not be ruled out and that they should try as much as possible to stay away from potential flashpoints in case of a violent eruption.

Political commentators have said the multiple calls for peace and the acceptance of the verdict by the losing party has fuelled fears that something could happen.

The situation is expected to hit a crescendo this week as the judgment day is only three days away.

The calls are expected to be intensified; churches will intervene on the spiritual front for God’s mercy in these “trying moments.”

This paper has gathered that barring any unforeseen circumstance, the two protagonists in the case, the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will make a symbolic gesture before the verdict day to drum home the point that peace is the only way to go.

The appearance of the NDC chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei at the NPP 21st Anniversary last Thursday at the party headquarters has already sent a symbolic signal to their various foot soldiers that politics is not about bloodshed.

Several civil society groups and political commentators have commended that move, describing it as timely as the verdict day approaches.