Security agencies can deal with issues — Kufuor
The former President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, has asked Ghanaians to believe in the capability of the security apparatus to deal with the security issues in the country.
He said the current security situation was of concern to all well-meaning Ghanaians, “but we should not sound like we are overrun”, adding that he believed in the competence of the security to overcome and contain the trend so that people could go about their daily duties peacefully.
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Speaking to journalists at his residence yesterday, Mr Kufuor admitted that Ghanaians had the right to be concerned, especially the situation where people would break jail to free suspected criminals.
Escape from police cells
At dawn last Sunday, about six gunmen facilitated the escape of seven suspects in the custody of the Kwabenya Police in Accra.
In the process of freeing the inmates, the gunmen shot the policeman on duty at the station, Inspector Emmanuel Ashilevi, when he tried to stop the jail break.
Mr Ashilevi died a few hours later at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra while receiving treatment.
The seven inmates, including a Nigerian and six Ghanaians, escaped and are currently on the run.
Confidence in security
“Yes, we must be concerned. People breaking into police cells to free criminals is not something that should happen in our country,” he emphasised.
He, however, expressed his confidence in the security agencies to be able to rise to the occasion and contain it, so that everybody could go about with their normal duties without fear.
Swearing-in of George Weah
Commenting on the swearing-in of Mr George Weah as Liberian President, Mr Kufuor said it was exciting that more African countries were going democratic.
He described the inauguration of Mr Weah as “a great day for Africa” for witnessing yet another peaceful transition from government to an opposition, as happened in Ghana.”
Determination
Mr Kufuor commended the football legend for transitioning from the football field into the political arena, adding that he had the feeling that Mr Weah was going to be a good leader.
“I get the feeling that he is going to be a wise leader too, that he will use his position to develop his country,” he said.
He said the tenacity of Mr Weah, who shot into the political sphere after losing an earlier one, “instead of giving up, he went back to improve himself, came back to convince his people to give him their power, which they did.”
The former President said it was rare to get the sports people in such accomplishment, translating into politics, “but he has done it in such a smart way,” he added.