Vice Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Parliament Paul Twum-Barimah says the US Visa Restriction Policy is to support Ghana and restrict certain groups of people who are in a position to destabilize Ghana’s democracy in the coming election.
The United States on Monday, October 28, 2024, announced a visa restriction policy for individuals America claims are responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana, ahead of the December 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 to take place on December 7, 2024.”
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Mr. Twum-Barimah disclosed that the United States introduced the policy to protect their borders and also, protect Ghana’s institutions in terms of democracy and strengthen peace in the country.
“Apparently, I see the US as a sovereign state. They believe that they want to protect their borders again. And the US has been a great ally to this country. And therefore, they want to help us protect our governmental institutions, in terms of our democracy, strengthening our institutions”, he said.
Adding that “They are taking the decisions that they believe will protect our democracy and strengthen our government agencies such that during the election, I mean, we are not going to have anything that is going to destabilize the peace that we’ve enjoyed in this country”.
The Vice chairman of the committee on Foreign Affairs believes that the decision taken by the US is right and confirms that the Government has taken steps to protect the democracy of the country.
“However, as a country, we also have to take certain steps to protect our democracy. And I’m confident that the appropriate state authorities are doing that.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Jasmine Adjei Anyetei
