The US government has announced sanctions against persons who will destabilise Ghana’s democracy
Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has expressed his disagreement with the US Visa Restriction Policy, revealing that the kind of support the US is giving to Ghana in our democracy is not the right support.
The United States, on Monday, October 28, 2024, announced a visa restriction policy for individuals America claims are responsible for destabilizing democracy in Ghana, ahead of the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections in the West African country.
“The Department of State is announcing a new visa restriction policy today that will restrict U.S. visas for any individual responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana. This policy will take effect in advance of Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.”
In an interview on the Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso advised that Ghana should be cautious of the Americans to prevent any commotion in the country as they did in other countries where they interfered in the voting process.
“Ghana is a very good friend of America. I’m saying let us be wary that they don’t bring about more turbulence in Ghana the way they did to Venezuela and other places. We ourselves must find a way of crystallizing our democracy.”
Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso said the US may have noticed something that may ruin the election, which is why they introduced the visa restriction program to Ghana.
“Well, it seems it shows that America has picked up some intelligence which they think would mar the next election.”
Additionally, he said that citizens must understand the basis of democracy and good governance, but to think that the visa restriction policy will make Ghana’s democracy strong is not an absolute truth.
“We ourselves must find a way of trying to make sure that we understand the basis of democracy, the basis of good governance, and everything will be good. But to think that this is more deterrent is what will make our democracy solid in Ghana, I doubt.”