At the Inauguration, a Ghanaian observes a "dangerous" situation and says, "This shouldn't be allowed again."

The inauguration on Tuesday, January 7th, was an unexpected twist on an otherwise conventional political event. A contentious online discussion has been triggered by a disturbing observation made by a Ghanaian netizen named Seth during the ceremony.

He stated, "This was actually an insanely dangerous thing to allow," in a post on X. No one, not even Bawumia or Tinubu, would be permitted to greet Mahama with a weapon by his side. Trust isn't the point. For the sake of national security, this was extremely careless and should never be permitted again.

In the incident, Ibrahim Traore, the Burkinabe military officer and Burkina Faso's temporary leader, was seen welcoming former President John Mahama at the ceremony with a handgun.

Reactions from Ghanaians to the incident have varied widely. Some Ghanaian commentators defended Traore, arguing that he is a good and humble man who genuinely wants better for Africa than any other African president. Many believe he has no reason to act recklessly at such a high-profile event.

However, others are more critical. Some argue that regardless of anything, carrying a weapon at a public event is unacceptable. Critics pointed to the implications of allowing Traore to carry a weapon while greeting Mahama, suggesting this could set a dangerous precedent.

In Ghana, the laws around firearms are pretty strict. Individuals need to get a license to own and carry a firearm, and there are specific rules about using them in public. While self-defense is recognized, having a firearm at a public event usually requires special permission from the authorities. Critics argue that allowing Traore, a foreign dignitary, to be armed during a major ceremony could pose serious safety risks.

It’s possible that Traore might have had a permit to carry his firearm, which could justify his actions. However, even with a permit, some commentators pointed out that carrying a weapon at a public event like an inauguration is concerning. The environment at such events is often tense, and security is a top priority. Many believe that, regardless of having a permit, carrying a gun in that context seems reckless and could endanger others.

There's are widespread feelings that it’s unwise to trust Traore or anyone else in situations like this. Some critics argue that Mahama is being too lenient, allowing Traore to act as he pleases without sufficient oversight. They argue that Mahama should be more aware of the risks involved and exercise caution.

Here are some reactions:

Source: @seth_doe22/X