Audio By Carbonatix
Acting General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party John Boadu has expressed disappointment in the former National Democratic Congress government's handling of the Gitmo 2 former terror suspects sent to Ghana from the US.
John Boadu is convinced the Mahama-led NDC government stabbed Ghanaians in the back when it failed to come clean on the decision to accept two Yemenis in January 2016.
He said there are several aspects of the diplomatic agreement that was hidden from Ghanaians which is now haunting the NPP government as it looks for options available to it following the expiration of their stay in Ghana.
The Yemenis came to Ghana in January 2016 to stay for two years under a diplomatic agreement as the United States government worked to close down its infamous detention center, Guantanamo Bay, where the suspects lived for 14 years.
Ghanaians were under the impression, the two suspects could be sent back to US or another country if the government was no longer interested in keeping them here.
But it has emerged government's options have been narrowed because of a decision taken by the previous NDC government.
The Mahama government granted them refugee status and therefore Ghana is obliged to keep them in the country if they fear to live in another. Ghana is a signatory to UN conventions on refugees which protects refugees.
The US government cannot take back the former suspects because the Mahama government failed to agree on exit plans with the superpower, the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has said.
NPP General Secretary, John Boadu said he was aware of plans by the government to send the former terror suspects to Morrocco which had indicated willingness to accept them.
"Particularly Morroco had agreed to take them," he said on Asempa FM Wednesday.
But t the government would later find out, it cannot send them there because the previous government had granted them refugee status.
"The NDC government had even given them passports," he said. With the Moroccan plan scuttled, it has become even more difficult to find a new host for the Yemenis, John Boadu said.
They cannot also be sent back to Yemen because of political turmoil there. The Yemenis have married in Ghana to women reportedly brought into the country.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana AI Summit 2026 slated for June 29-30
10 minutes -
Sammi Awuku hints at major strategic shift in NPP to win election 2028
12 minutes -
80 Years young! Joyce Aryee, icon of leadership and grace
17 minutes -
GUTA raises alarm over alleged sharp increase in port duties under Publican AI system
18 minutes -
A successful diasporan bond will depend on trust – Prof. Peprah warns
19 minutes -
NPP investment in my training has shaped my political organisation Skills – Sammi Awuku
22 minutes -
Three cargo ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire
26 minutes -
Publican AI is a move to reward political cronies – GUTA Secretary alleges
27 minutes -
Publican AI system harming trade, increasing import costs – GUTA Secretary
29 minutes -
US charges anti-extremism group over payments to informants in hate groups
33 minutes -
Thirteen killed in second India fireworks blast in three days
34 minutes -
Economy faced significant slowdown in liquidity expansion in 2025 – BoG
38 minutes -
Banks cut significantly loans to real sector, still prefers T-bills – BoG
42 minutes -
South Korean fighter jets collided due to pilots snapping pictures, report finds
43 minutes -
Ghana Beverage Awards celebrates 10th Anniversary in grand style
50 minutes