[ 2014-09-18 ]

Ghana's military intervention in Mali has no negative impact on the country - GAF
The Ghana Armed Forces is insisting that sending
military personnel to Mali to support United
Nations Mission (MINUSMA) there will not affect
the security of the nation in anyway.

A contingent of 55 military personnel has been
dispatched to help combat terrorists in Mali.

There are growing concerns that countries joining
the fight against the terrorists could suffer
attacks similar to that suffered by Kenya.

Kenyans are constantly being attacked by the Al
Shabab militants for intervening in Somalia.

But GAF's Public Relations Director, Lt. Col
Aggrey Quarshie told Joy News the concerns
expressed were unfounded, insisting the mission
would not have any negative impact on the
country.

Mali has been unstable since 2012, after Al –
Qaeda linked militants seized the Northern parts
of the country.

Security Analyst and Head of Research at the Kofi
Annan Peacekeeping and Training Center, Dr. Kwesi
Aning told Joy News that if there should be an
attack on Ghana, it will have nothing to do with
the MINUSMA intervention.

West Africa's security environment, he pointed out
has “changed fundamentally and our collective
thinking as to how to understand and possibly
respond to any such threats must change and I
think we need to delink it from any international
peacekeeping engagement.”

He said the personnel's presence in Mali formed
part of “our international responsibility to
help Mali and I think it contributes to Ghana's
reputation.”

The security environment in the sub-region has
changed so dramatically and that, all countries in
the region are now under threat from radicalized
groups as the Al Shabab.

Also, he explained that Ghana's support in the
mission demonstrated its commitment as a coalition
partner, which sends a clear signal to both those
who want to destabilize the sub-region and to the
international partners.

Dr. Aning noted that even with the few men, the
mission would contribute to creating the
credibility that the job would be done.

Source - MyjoyOnline

... go Back