An International Relations Expert, Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has commended the intervention of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the impasse between the British High Commissioner and the Inspector General of Police.
According to him, the move by the ministry in the release of a statement “is a sign of maturity” and the IGP, being a highly placed citizen, isn’t expected to be having confrontation with a diplomat.
Dr Antwi-Danso explained that at some level, the IGP could have reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry could have called the High Commissioner to order, but that “didn’t happen and then, they have direct confrontation”.
“So, the Ministry found it wise to step in, and in stepping in it has taken a good diplomatic language to assure the High Commissioner that we are here, we have longstanding bond with you and we don’t need any kind of such altercation between us… We’re in touch with the IGP, we’re in touch with you and we seek to resolve this issue. So it’s maturity, I mean I doff my hat for the Minister whom I have had respect for all this while to have shown such maturity in saying that look, don’t escalate things.”
Antwi-Danso
Highlighting on the statement released by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Antwi-Danso indicated that the behavior of foreign diplomats indeed, do have to be checked as some actions taken by them could destabilize a country.
“I said earlier on, most of these things are either intentionally done or innocuously done but they generate some kind of instability in some countries. Some ambassadors would have also been that intemperate. I remember we had one like that also in the British High Commission, the one who came before Jon Benjamin who will take his pen and write directly and had a whole lot of problems with the government of the day then”.
Antwi-Danso
Foreign Affairs must be proactive
On his part, the Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peace keeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC), Professor Kwesi Aning, described the Ministry’s intervention in the British High Commissioner-IGP impasse as “a little too late, a little too small”.
He indicated that the ministry should have acted quickly when the High Commissioner started “behaving in ways that probably is not part of good diplomatic practices”.
“For me, I think it’s good the Foreign Ministry has spoken, next time they should be more proactive. But certainly, the IGP has done what he ought to do in protecting the image of his institution, the way they deliver their services to the people of Ghana; we will be critical of them as to how they do it, but we are the tax payers and we do that.”
Professor Kwesi Aning
Prof Aning, similarly, cautioned the Minority who have criticized the IGP for his response to be mindful of its actions. He emphasized that unfortunately, some of the political players think they can use this for short term political gains.
“Indeed, in all situations, it is the interest of the Republic of Ghana that must drive the way that we behave. If you’re not in power today but a foreign potentate misbehaves, don’t just support that potentate because you think that misbehavior undermines those who are governing now. Because when you come into power one day, they will treat you either the same way or in a much worse manner.”
Professor Kwesi Aning
