Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has suggested to heads of West African states not to resort to violence in resolving the Niger coup but diplomacy and constructive dialogue with the military junta.
He was of the view that African leaders must reflect on the causes of the coup d’état in Niger and previous coups in other African countries and begin to take urgent concrete steps to prevent more military takeovers.
“Let’s shift focus from the symptoms and start addressing the real issues of bad leadership, corruption, and endemic poverty,” Ablakwa shared in a statement posted on Twitter.
“Niger is not the first and may not be the last without an honest, appropriate, introspective, causative, leadership response,” he added.
The MP also blamed President Akufo-Addo for failing to submit his Niger policy to Parliament for thorough scrutiny before ordering Ghanaian soldiers to assist ECOWAS in restoring democratic rule in Niger.
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“I reiterate our demand on President Akufo-Addo to immediately stop all his preparatory mobilization towards deploying Ghanaian soldiers for an ECOWAS military intervention in Niger”.
“Akufo-Addo’s refusal to submit his Niger policy to Parliament for thorough scrutiny by the people’s elected representatives is most undemocratic and awfully reckless”.
“West African leaders who purported to be lecturing Niger on democracy must be seen leading by example at home”.
He continued: “Ghana’s gallant soldiers must be kept far away from the looming bloodbath and escalating geopolitical confrontation, which is bound to explode with far-reaching consequences for stability in an already volatile region”.
“Also worthy of consideration is the fact that Ghana’s bankrupt economy could be used as a predictable excuse by President Akufo-Addo as Commander-in-Chief to deny the Ghana Armed Forces the full complement of material, equipment and logistics”.