MAHAMA ACCUSES AKUFO-ADDO

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has accused the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo Addo, of peddling falsehood.

He said, “You can’t lie your way to power” in apparent reference to a statement made by Nana Akufo Addo.

President, Mahama was speaking in an interview on TV3s “Morning Show” last Monday.

He said Nana’s statement that his Government has borrowed as much as US $37 billion is false.

“Ghana’s debt from Nkrumah’s days to now is $24 billion so how could we have borrowed US $37 billion?” he asked.

He claimed that Nana Akufo Addo has made some contentious statements and he would want an opportunity to deal with those issues.

 “I am ready to debate him even now on all issues” he said

He said his biggest challenge as President was the power crisis.

“I have had more briefing sessions with the P­ower Minister than even the Minister of Finance” he said

Editorial

Getting Ready For Terrorists’ Attack

Last Sunday’s terrorist attack in Cote D'Ivoire was predicted. After the terrorist attack in Burkina Faso, which itself followed an earlier one in Bamako, the writing on the wall was clear. The terrorists were marching southward.

Indeed Cote D’Ivoire had readied itself for a terrorist attack. Security in Abidjan and the country’s northern borders had been beefed up. Unfortunately, the Grand Bassam area where the attack took place was not seen as one of the terrorists’ targets.

The bloody attack, therefore throws open a lot of issues.

One is that thwarting the terrorists’ plans goes beyond protecting obvious places.

Two, the jihadists may have already infiltrated target countries, so while guarding one’s borders is wise, those intent on causing harm may have already infiltrated the country.

Three, it is almost impossible to expect security forces alone to check terrorists. Everyone has a duty in ensuring that suspected individuals are checked.

We would have liked to believe that Grand Bassam is the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb last stance  in West Africa. Unfortunately the facts point to the contrary and it is clear that countering their moves require more than the ordinary.

Apart from taking the necessary security safeguards, some degree of popular mobilisation is also needed to ensure that our peace is protected.