The Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has revealed that the ex-GITMO two detainees will remain in Ghana despite the expiration of their stay in the country.
The Supreme Court last year declared as unconstitutional the admission of the two — Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby – into the country by the erstwhile Mahama administration.
The decision to host the detainees in Ghana provoked a firestorm of controversy and outrage among Ghanaians, with many expressing fear that the move would undermine Ghana’s internal security and expose the country to attacks from religious extremists.
A seven-member Supreme Court panel presided over by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo by a six to one (6 -1) majority decision said the two are illegally staying in the country since the then government allowed them into the country without Parliamentary approval.
The consequential order of the court was that government should within three months subject the agreement to parliamentary consideration and approval or in default return the two ex-detainees.
Speaking on the floor of parliament Wednesday in the wake of Minority’s accusation of the government of disrespecting the orders of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey said there was no exit arrangement in the agreement entered into by the Mahama administration and the US concerning the duo.
According to her, the two were granted refugee status by the former administration.
Thus, she added they will not be leaving Ghana and that they are the now the responsibility of the state.
“It is to be noted that no exit arrangements were originally discussed between the two governments to end the bilateral arrangement at the time of negotiation. The US has also been clear in our discussions with them that per the agreement, returning them to the United States is not an option open to discussion or negotiation,” she told parliament.
“This means that all obligations relating to the two subjects [have] now become the responsibility of Ghana,” she added.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
