A member of Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth, has cautioned President John Dramani Mahama against fostering excessively friendly relations with undemocratic regimes.
Speaking in an exclusive with ABC News GH, the Member of Parliament for the Okere Constituency expressed his displeasure over what he perceives as the President’s growing closeness with military regimes in West Africa. This concern follows President Mahama’s recent pronouncements during his visit to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahel States, a coalition of military-led nations.
It will be recalled that President Mahama invited Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, to his investiture ceremony, an act that stirred controversy, particularly due to Captain Traore’s firearm being on full display. Since the swearing-in, President Mahama has met Captain Traore at least twice, with subsequent engagements suggesting a cordial and personal relationship between the two leaders.
Speaking on the matter, Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth remarked, “Ghanaians are non-aligned, we are democratic, we have held a democratic flag in Sub-Saharan Africa and we pride ourselves so much. We should not be seen to be making concessions to people who come to power through undemocratic means, and for us, we see that happening.”
He further emphasized the importance of Ghana maintaining its democratic stance, stating, “Under no circumstances should we entertain people who have come to power through undemocratic means, more especially coup d’états.”
While acknowledging the importance of the President’s engagements in the sub-region, the MP voiced concern over the nature of these interactions. “I have no problem with the President’s travels in the sub-region except that there is a seeming affiliation with people who have come to power through undemocratic means,” he noted.
Kenneth also linked the President’s friendliness with military leaders to the historical background of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), whose founder, Jerry John Rawlings, came to power through a coup.
He urged caution and clarity in dealings with military leaders, saying, “In the President’s engagements with the military leaders, there should be a clear timeline as to when the military leaders will hand over power to democratic leaders.”
Reiterating Ghana’s democratic legacy, he concluded, “Ghana is a beacon of hope in terms of democracy, and so we should not be seen to be promoting people who have come to power through undemocratic means.”
By Eugene Ofori Sottie
