Member of Parliament for Damongo and Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor has questioned the decision by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to publicly disclose information about Ghana’s military collaboration with the United States and Nigeria.
Mr Jinapor explained that if he were in the minister’s position, he would not have made such information public because matters relating to national security are often sensitive.
He made the remarks during an interview on Joy FM.
The comments come after the Minority in Parliament raised concerns about the disclosure and questioned why details about Ghana’s alleged involvement in a military operation targeting a terrorist organisation in a foreign country had been made public.
Mr Jinapor indicated that, on the face of it, he would not have released such information.
According to him, individuals who serve in government, especially those involved in national security matters, are often given privileged and sensitive information which must be handled with caution.
He noted that during his time as a minister under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, he served on the National Security Council for four years and was exposed to how governments manage national security issues.
He explained that because of the sensitive nature of such information, he would not have gone on a panel discussion to reveal that the government collaborated with another country to carry out a military strike against a terrorist organisation in a foreign country.
Mr Jinapor however urged the public to give the minister the benefit of the doubt, adding that he was not aware of the full reasoning behind the disclosure made by Mr Ablakwa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
