Coup-Minded Refugees

We are getting suspicious about our Ivorian guests. They appear to be getting on our nerves through what we learn are subversive manoeuvres. Ghana is signatory to the international convention on the reception of refugees displaced by circumstances of war or other security challenges. This, alongside our traditional hospitality, has made our country a preferred destination for refugees, a case in point being the many Liberian displaced who found in Ghana a home they reluctantly left, years after the end of the civil strife which visited their country. Many of them are still in the country today, married to Ghanaians. Some of our Ivorian guests, who have been here for a short period, are being suspected of engaging in what, in diplomatic circles, is referred to as �inappropriate conduct.� Rumours or speculations about subversive manoeuvres by some pro-Gbagbo elements sheltering in Ghana are waxing stronger by the day. President Mills� dismissal of what for now remains a rumour or speculation is a pointer to the depth of what is making the rounds in town. Much as we cannot dismiss the President�s position that there is no such plan in the country, we wish to ask that the intelligence community put their ears on the ground so they can fish out whoever is involved in such manoeuvres, if any. Outright dismissal of rumours of capital importance such as subversive plans against a neighbouring country is not a norm in security or intelligence management. The matter should rather be probed further, with a view to unearthing any subversive plans on the part of the refugees from Ivory Coast. Ghana is in a peculiar situation because of the pre-Gbagbo departure vacillations regarding President Mills� position. Most Ghanaians deduced from the President�s remarks, which part of the divide in Ivory Coast he belonged to, regardless of the many damage control interventions Castle minders made following the diplomatic faux pas. Any inkling of our country not doing enough to stem subversive moves against President Alassane Ouattara from Ghanaian soil, should not be entertained. In fact, any refugee nabbed over such a security breach must be deported to that country. Our country must not be used to undertake subversion against a neighbouring country. Ghanaians should alert the security agencies about any such moves. President Mills must use the end of hostilities in Ivory Coast to change the impression pro-Ouattara elements have about him. The present impression President Ouattara and his government have about us is diplomatically awful. Although an Ivorian delegation was in the country recently to invite President Mills to that country, it is all part of the diplomatic game. We do not understand why at the end of the hostilities, we still have many Ivorians in the country. They must be watched closely so that those of them who have bad intentions against their government would be stopped in their tracks.