Party’s mistrust for local security is the reason for SA trio - Franklin Cudjoe

President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, has said that the decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to engage services of

Mr Cudjoe told Pulse.com.gh on Thursday [24.03.2016] that he finds it “difficult to understand” the rational behind the decision by the “handlers” of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo, to opt for foreign security operatives to train the security men.

“Perhaps it is borne out of the deep mistrust for our politicised security services”, he continued. “Well, this is exactly what we should all change about our politics.”

Mr. Cudjoe qualified the decision by the party to bring in security men as an “utterly poor” and asked what it meant to the country’s security service.

He said politicians politicise everything and now “make private choices as we do not trust our own.”

“This is not how to build a country”, he said. “We must force politicians to think hard about the choices they make, while in office and out of office, to be sure that they aim to protect all our persons, property and country.”

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) on Sunday March 20 arrested three South African nationals in the Central region for activities that has the potential to derail the security of the country.

The trio; Mahor Ahmed Shaik Hazis(Rtd), 54, WO/ Denver Dwayhe Naidu (Rtd.), 45, and Captain Mlungiseleli Jokani (Rtd), 45; were picked up at El Capitano Hotel in Agona Duakwa, Central region.

NPP at a news conference yesterday admitted bringing in the ex servicemen into the country but skewered the BNI for playing into the propaganda of the ruling party, NDC.

The party’s acting general secretary, John Boadu, said they will seek the safety and protection of the men and would ensure that they are not maltreated by the BNI.

The trio, including the Head of Security for Akufo Addo, Captain Edmund Koda (rtd), have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and unlawful training.

But NPP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea has described the charges as “watery.”

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, he said: “the charges are very watery, military training is when soldiers are training. So this is a civilian training; civilians who are trying to learn how to protect VIPs. I do not see how you will be able to succeed with such a charge.”