We don’t need ex- GITMO detainees in Ghana - Ghanaians in US and UK charge

Kwame Agyeman Budu

Concerned Ghanaians in USA and UK have expressed outrage over decision by President Mahama administration to accept two ex-detainees of Guantanamo Bay who have ties with terrorist groups, into the country.

Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby arrived in Ghana on Thursday January 7, 2016 for a two-year stay as part of a deal reached between the United States of America and the Government of Ghana.

The two were held for more than 14years at the detention facility in Cuba.

They were unanimously approved for transfer by the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force, according to a Pentagon statement issued on Wednesday.

Speaking to Oman FM on the issue, the Director of the group, Kwame Agyeman Budu said they are shocked that Mahama administration could go to that far.

He wondered why President Mahama administration could accept the detainees in Ghana when US citizens led by Congress kicked against President Obama’s plan to move Guantanamo Bay detainees to any prison in the United States.

Mr. Agyeman Budu argued that US citizens opposed President Obama’s plan because their presence will pose serious security threat to them.

“As a result of this issue, the US passed National Defence Authorization Act, in November, 2015 to ban movement of detainees Guantanamo Bay to the United States,” he noted

Mr. Agyeman Budu believes the presence of Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby put Ghana at high risk country of terrorist attack.

“Ghana will be on the radar of the Al-Qaida, Taliban and all the jihadist groups they have ties with. They will trail them and have engagements with them so it’s dangerous,” he warned.

He accused President Mahama for sidestepping parliament in arriving at such irresponsible and dangerous decision saying such national decision requires wider consultation and approval of parliament.

He disclosed that they are planning to send a delegation to pay a visit to President Mahama to prevail on him to reverse the decision.

“We don’t need them in Ghana because they are security threats”, he stated.

Story by: Michael Creg Afful

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