Be equally concerned with security of other areas, not just the Jubilee House – Antwi-Danso
An International Relations, Diplomacy and Security analyst, Professor Vladimir Antwi-Danso is of the view that even though Ghanaians might be very much worried about how people go around from one place to another especially the seat of government, the Jubilee House, they must equally be concerned about other areas that can kill Ghana within some seconds.
The Dean of Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFSC), was commenting on the use of the Jubilee House for the shooting of a music video of popular American rapper Meek Mill that has sparked public debate and backlash.
According to him, everywhere in the world, the seat of government is one of the biggest security areas where no nation should allow just the free flow of all manner of persons. Professor Antwi-Danso explained to Helen Appiah Ampofo in an interview on the 3FM Sunrise Morning Show that in the study of security, one of the reasons why photography is not allowed at such areas is that it could be used as a target of attack or destruction during war.
Professor Antwi-Danso added that “Ghanaian musicians also go out there and you see in their videos the; London Bridge, Buckingham Palace and that kind of places. If they haven’t gotten clearance, they can’t just put that out. Even we as citizens need clearance before you can take a photograph of the seat of government. There is a possibility he was given clearance as to where to shoot and where not to shoot. And also there is a situation where the security agencies made sure the footage couldn’t raise any eyebrow before it could be shown anywhere
“I strongly suspect clearance might have been given. If not it would have smacked of laxity and stupidity on the part of our security”
Professor Antwi-Danso gave an example that if the president of Ghana visits America and has no business in seeing the president, the best person he could see is the secretary of state or an official in similar position but over here in Ghana the doors to the presidency are so much opened all the name of attracting business and economic diplomacy.
“The point is that we don’t have to open the doors of our presidency too wide for any other foreigner to come and see the president. A lot of the things could have been done way down there by the secretaries or chiefs of staff or even at the level of the ministry” he stated.
However, the security analyst emphasised that there are other very sensitive and critical places and installations in Ghana that require intense security surveillance and protection than the Jubilee House.
“God forbid, should somebody kill Nana Akufo-Addo today, within ten seconds there is another president and it doesn’t bring any serious problem. There are other security facilities we should be very careful about like the Akosombo. If anybody drops a one kiloton bomb right in Akosombo, the whole Ghana is dead but we don’t have a garrison there guarding the Akosombo Dam,” he said.
Unfortunately for the American rapper, what could have been an exciting experience for Meek Mill ended up offending the sensibilities of a large section of Ghanaians as they vehemently condemn in unequivocal terms the use of Ghana’s seat of government (Jubilee House) for the shoot of the video of the rapper’s yet to be released music.
Since the backlash on the musician and the government of Ghana after the video circulated on social media, the rapper has deleted the video and rendered an apology.
In a tweet, Meek Mill said, “my apologies to the people if any disrespected. We still gonna push to make the connection between black people in America and Africa. What I’m trying to do is more than a video and you should see coming soon. My apologies to the office [of the President] also”.
source: 3news
