Mahama is insensitive – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Parliamentary Candidate of the NPP for the Ofoase Ayirebi Constituency, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has described President John Mahama’s attitude towards Ghana’s acceptance of two former detainees of Guantanamo Bay prison facility as one that smacks of insensitivity.

According to him, the President’s statement that he was not elected to make popular decisions at a time a good majority of the Ghanaian people have spoken against the sheltering of the two is most unfortunate.

Mahmoud Omar Mohammed Bin Atef,36, and Khalid Shayk Mohammed, 34 – are in Ghana at the behest of the US government. They will be in Ghana for two years at the cost of the US authorities.

But the public, including faith-based organizations, have condemned government’s move to house the two who are viewed by many Ghanaians as a security threat, but government insist the two pose no threat to the country, as the US will help provide the necessary security support to monitor them.

Addressing a media encounter at the seat of government, the Flagstaff House, President John Mahama stated that Ghana is not the only country to have accepted to accommodate former detainees, citing Uganda, Cape Verde, Uruguay, and France as some of the countries being benevolent.

He questioned why Ghanaians have suddenly failed to make good their faith-based compassion and hospitality which the good people of Ghana are well noted for.

However, speaking on Peace FM, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who is a trained broadcast Journalist cum entrepreneur emphasized the need for Parliament to meticulously review the agreement when it reconvenes in order to seek the best interest of Ghanaians.

“Government doesn’t need to be obstinate; this issue has started brewing some soft religious tension in this country. Christians have spoken, people who purport to speak for other groups and religions are also speaking. This country over the years has known peace among the various religions, the decision by government to bring these ex-detainees into the country should not divide us.”

He added: “We want to be in the good books of the powerful countries in the world, hence our showing of compassion to these two persons, but this kindness might dearly cost us as a country if we don’t take care.”