Irbard Ibrahim, security analyst
Nana Akufo-Addo is not a threat to Ghana’s stability as suggested by his critics and political rivals, security analyst Irbard Ibrahim has said.
In Sheikh Ibrahim’s view, rather than painting the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a warmonger, he should be praised for his “exemplary” role in ensuring that Ghana remained in one piece after the turbulent 2012 presidential poll, which, although he challenged in a petition, conceded after the Supreme Court upheld President John Mahama’s victory, so as to fritter the tension that pervaded at the time.
The peace ambassador for the 2016 polls was speaking in reference to links drawn between Mr Akufo-Addo and three South African ex-police officers, who were recently arrested by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), for offering illegal military training to some 15 members of the NPP, who were meant to serve as bodyguards for the three-time flagbearer and his running mate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The three men: Chris Hazis, 54, also known as Major Ahmed Shaik (rtd); WO/Denver Dwayhe Naidu (rtd), 39; and Captain Mlungiseleli Jokani (rtd), 45; were picked up at the El Capitano Hotel at Agona Duakwa in the Central region.
They were said to be training some young people in various security drills, including unarmed combat, weapon handling, VIP protection techniques, and rapid response manoeuvres. They have been charged with false declaration and unlawful training. They were put before court on Thursday March 24. They pleaded not guilty and were each granted a GHS20,000 bail with sureties. The BNI is still holding them despite the bail, a situation that has angered their lawyers. Deputy General Secretary of the NDC Koku Anyidoho recently accused the NPP of bringing “mercenaries” into the country to foment trouble during the upcoming November polls.
However, the NPP has insisted the party brought the three South Africans into the country to train bodyguards to control crowd around Mr Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia.
Sheikh Irbard said on social media that: “Yes the NPP made a gross mistake by enlisting the military expertise of foreign trainers, but it is unfair and politically incorrect to tag Nana Addo as a threat to Ghana’s national security. He’s a peace-loving statesman, who showed exemplary leadership after the 2012 election verdict, which almost pushed this nation to the brink of war.”
