The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as 'false' claims that they went contrary
to section 35 of the Anti-Terrorism Act as far as the issue of the
former Guantanamo detainees are concerned.
The flagbearer of
the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo Addo, speaking personally on
the Gitmo saga, accused government of going against Section 35 of the
Anti-Terrorism Act, 2008, (Act 762).
In addition to this, the
NPP Presidential candidate said the President’s decision not to consult
the relevant stakeholders in the country, so as to assuage the fears of
Ghanaians, has resulted in heightened levels of fear amongst Ghanaians.
A statement signed by Edward Omane Boamah, Communications Minister and
issued on Tuesday, said "government wishes to place on record that at
all times it has acted strictly within the law"
"We note that
Mr Akufo Addo did not provide any proof of the “reasonable grounds” on
which he claims the two ex-detainees should have been denied entry into
Ghana. It would appear that he merely channeled claims in sections of
the media- that an allegedly leaked 2007 report classifies the two
detainees as “terrorists” the statement added.
Read full statement below
Government
has taken note of comments made by the flagbearer of the New Patriotic
Party to the effect, that provisions in Ghana’s Anti-Terrorism Act were
violated by accepting to host two ex-detainees of the Guantanamo Bay
Camp in Cuba.
In making this claim, Mr Akufo Addo made reference
to Section 35 of the Anti-Terrorism Act which states that “The Director of Immigration or an officer authorised by the Director shall not grant
an endorsement or authority to permit a person to enter this country if
there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the person is, will or has
been involved in the commission of a terrorist act”.
For the avoidance of doubt, Government wishes to place on record that at all times it has acted strictly within the law.
Any
claims therefore by Mr Akufo Addo and his assigns to the contrary are
false and a complete misinterpretation of the Anti-Terrorism Act (Act 762).
By section 35(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2008 (Act 762),
the Director of Immigration or an officer authorised by him shall not
grant a person entry into the country if there are reasonable grounds to
suspect that the person:
a) Is involved in the commission of a terrorist act
b) Will be involved in a terrorist act, or
c) Has been involved in a terrorist act
We
note that Mr Akufo Addo did not provide any proof of the “reasonable
grounds” on which he claims the two ex-detainees should have been denied
entry into Ghana. It would appear that he merely channelled claims in
sections of the media- that an allegedly leaked 2007 report classifies
the two detainees as “terrorists”.
The American government has stated that it does not comment on leaked reports.
Furthermore,
we wish to draw attention to a 2010 report of an Executive Order Task Force (EOTF) prepared on the basis of a unanimous agreement of six US
government agencies which repudiates claims made in earlier reports.
We
wish to stress that the EOTF’s 2010 interagency assessment supersedes
any prior assessment and reflects the US Government’s most comprehensive
and authoritative view of each Guantanamo detainee and does not
classify the two individuals as “terrorists”.
It is also a matter
of fact that no formal process(es) has/have been used to bring charges
of terrorism against the two individuals. Neither have they been found
guilty of any terrorism-related offences by any court of competent
jurisdiction.
We are at a loss that Mr Akufo Addo about whom
lofty claims have been made regarding the defence of human rights would
today seek to set aside due process and pronounce guilt on persons who
have been unjustifiably held for 14 years without charge.
We find
it incongruous that a man about whom damning claims have been made in
allegedly leaked confidential diplomatic cables will today be vacuously
pronouncing judgment on others on the basis of similar documents.
If
Mr Akuffo Addo is held to the same standard per the claims against him
in multiple leaked diplomatic cables for the determination of
his suitability to contest for the highest office of the land, he would
be found unworthy.
Government wishes to seize this opportunity to
re-iterate its earlier assurance that adequate measures have been taken
to ensure the peace and security of Ghanaians even as the two
individuals remain in Ghana for two years.
Signed:
Edward K. Omane Boamah (Dr)
(Communications Minister) |
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment