Mahama’s Statement Was Bold And Strategic - Lecturer

A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana Dr. Seidu Alidu, has described President John Mahama’s comments on the United States embargo on Cuba as bold and strategic.

Addressing the 67th UN General Assembly, President Mahama encouraged the US to lift the embargo - a comment Dr. Alidu believed most countries shied away from in a bid to avoid the wrath of a super power like the US.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News, Dr. Alidu said President Mahama must be applauded.

“As the president of Ghana, he is going to be bold, decisive and will say it as it is in any other issue on the international front, not regarding or fearing the opposition that will come from the super powers. This was showcased when he told the United States that their embargo on Cuba was long overdue.

Dr. Alidu further mentioned that a lot of emerging democracies tried to court the support of the United States of America therefore could not have a policy that departed from that of the USA and thus applauded President Mahama.

“Most people do not want to have a foreign policy that disagrees or departs from that of the US and to be very bold in saying that at the UN General Assembly is really significant,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ranking Member for Foreign Affairs and MP for Weija, Shirley Ayorkor Botwei has said President Mahama should go beyond his address at the UN Assembly to ensure that the country’s issues with Ivory Coast are resolved amicably.

She said: “Be very reassured that this is not happening from Ghanaian soil……the Ivoirians will not close their border if they do not have information that something is happening in Ghana which is adversely going to affect them in terms of dissidents harbored here who are going to foment trouble there.”

The NPP Member of Parliament further mentioned that “I think it’s reassuring but we must go beyond that and use diplomatic means to talk to the Ivoirians and not just saying it.”