Ghana’s largest opposition group, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rubbished claims its flagbearer, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo was briefed about the decision by government to accommodate two former inmates of the Guantanamo Bay military facility six clear months before their arrival in the country.
International Relations Expert, Irbard Ibrahim had earlier claimed in an interview that the three-time presidential candidate of the NPP was privy to the information prior to the coming of the two ex-detainees.
“I can say for a fact that Nana Akufo-Addo was duly informed six clear months before teh GITMO detainees touched down,” he asserted.
News of the arrival of Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby, the two ex-Guantanamo detainees sparked massive public outcry in Ghana with many, including prominent religious organisations asking the Mahama-led administration to return them.
They argued their stay in the country makes Ghana susceptible to terror attacks.
As expected, the main opposition NPP waded into the fray and openly backed calls for their return.
“Nana Addo thinks the process is flawed…and was wrong for government to accept them,” Mustapha Hamid, the spokesperson of Akufo-Addo said over the weekend.
But the Security Analyst told Kojo Yankson, host of JoyFM’s Super Morning Show that Nana Akufo-Addo knew about the resettlement of the two ex-detainees in Ghana, who spent 14 years at Gitmo.
“He (Nana Addo) was informed by the Americans,” Irbard emphasised.
“There was broad-based consultation. We should look at this from the national issue. There is no cause for alarm, let’s have faith in our security,” he added.
However, in a sharp riposte, the NPP refuted the Security Analyst’s claims.
Director of Communications for the party, Nana Akomea insists their flagbearer was notified of the decision only two weeks ago by the American Embassy.
“It’s never true that the flagbearer of the NPP was briefed six months ago on the Guantanamo detainees… What happened was that in the first week of January the person in touch at the America Embassy informed him about the decision… that was not a consultation. It was just an information. Nana Addo’s decision was that he would have to get in touch with his party hence the statement [we issued],” he said.
[email protected] 
(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)