Security analyst, Richard Kumador, has condemned the act of politicians “speaking for security operations or taking responsibility for security agencies and thereby leading operations.”
He says such circumstances lead to the commission of mistakes which jeopardises the work of the security agencies.
According to him, explanation of security operations by politicians always breed miscommunication, citing the recent raid on the residence of the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
“What we have seen for years now and what has happened in recent raids, referring to Ken Ofori-Atta’s case, there have been some level of miscommunication on the part of politicians, and that is why I have always said that politicians should stop speaking for security operations or taking responsibility for security agencies and thereby leading operations.
“Definitely, they are going to make mistakes,” he said on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Thursday, January 13, 2025.
Critiquing the raid on Ofori-Atta’s house, he said although the matter has not become a parliamentary inquiry, the Majority Leader’s comments on it was okay since the issue was raised on the floor of Parliament.
However, Mr. Kumador noted that it is wrong for the Leader to accept responsibility for an operation which was carried by the National Security.
“But for taking responsibility for National Security operations, I think that is wrong, seriously it is wrong. Unless he is the Minister assigned for such duties. Either than that, he did what is wrong,” he stated.
He also condemned Ayariga’s naming of Richard Jakpa as leader of the raid saying it creates some disaffection for him which is not good for the National Security.
“The second thing he did wrong is that, he put out the name of Richard Jakpa. When you do that, you are creating public sentiments against him and that may lead to other inferences on his life,” he indicated.
According to eyewitness accounts and security footage, a group of individuals, including some men in military and police uniforms, stormed Mr Ofori-Atta’s residence in Cantonments, Accra on Tuesday afternoon, February 11, 2025, while he was out of the country.
But, Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has confirmed to Parliament that the National Security Coordinator has admitted that the raid on Ofori-Atta’s home, was regrettable.
Ofori-Atta’s home was raided amid the OSP’s declaration of him being wanted, and describing him as a fugitive of justice.
“It is true that the private residence of the former Finance Minister was raided by operatives of the military and police, led by someone we believe works at the National Security Coordinator’s Office, his name is Mr. Jakpa.
“We have investigated the matter and we want to assure our fellow countrymen and our colleagues in this House that we have received assurances from the Office of the National Security Coordinator that this was not intended to happen. The occurrence is most regrettable and unfortunate, and he has given this House his word that such an incident will never happen again,” he assured.
