Security analyst, Adib Saani has said it was in the best interest of Ghana for President Nana Akufo-Addo to continue with mediation efforts in the ongoing political standoff in neighboring Togo.
This according to him is to avert any national security threat since Ghana could become a transit point for weapons into Togo if the current crises degenerate into a conflict.
That also could mean an increase in the circulation of illegal weapons and criminal activities in the Ghana’s territory.
“With the poorest nature of our borders, it is highly luckily that Ghana will become a transit point for guns and other weapons needed for the conflict in Togo and if we are not careful many of these weapons will not reach Togo but will stay in Ghana and fall into the hands of criminal gangs and vigilant groups”, Saani Adib disclosed.
President Nana Akufo-Addo was in Togo this week to hold talks with key actors in the Togo’s political fray. Ghana’s eastern neighbor has in recent times witnessed a series of protests by a coalition of 14 opposition parties want a return to the country’s constitution which imposes limits on presidential terms.
But speaking to Diamond news in an interview, Adib Saani opined that, Ghana would have to be ready to deal with a refugee situation alongside spending limited state resources to protect the country’s boarder to the east; if the President had not stepped in to mediate in the political crisis.
he noted, “Anything that happens in Togo, there will be an effect in Ghana, we will bedevil with serious refugee crises and they will put pressure on the already limited social services like water, sanitation, food and a whole lot so it is very important that we play a critical role in maintaining peace in Togo”.
Adib Saani also stated that the regional and sub-regional bodies must not be in a haste to use military solution to end Togo’s crisis, but rather should resort to diplomacy in reaching a consensus between the government of President Faure Gnassingbé, and the Coalition of 14 opposition parties.
Source:diamondfmonline.com/Ken Zorre-Edward
