Osofo Kyiri Abosom threatens to demonstrate if Akufo-Addo sends troops to Niger

Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews, also known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, the 2020 presidential candidate for the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), has vowed to organize a protest if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo sends Ghanaian military to interfere in the unfolding coup in Niger.

On Monday, August 14, 2023, Osofo Kyiri Abosom issued the caution during a news conference in Accra.

He stated that Ghana should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other nations because it already has its own challenges.

“I am pleading with our president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that Ghana is already suffering. There is no need for us to go and kill our own people. The military men and women are our brothers and sisters. We are not going to support that movement. If the president refuses to listen to us and something happens, we, the Ghana Union Movement, will embark on a very serious demonstration against the president and his administration. Because Ghana is a peaceful country, we do not want to shed any blood.

“GUM is not supporting the move by ECOWAS to fight amongst ourselves in Niger. “Why do we want to go and create a fight? We have not heard any complaints from Niger. We have not heard even a gunshot. We are urging President Akufo-Addo to solve his own problems and not to send any troops. Nigeria equally has issues and the issue is there for them to confront with Boko Haram,” he said.

The opening of nominations for flagbearer and national executives will take place from Friday, September 1 until September 8, 2023, according to the party’s general secretary, Gold Ahinful.

A non-refundable entry fee of GHC 100,000 is needed of anyone running for president.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has also urged President Akufo-Addo to halt any military preparations being made to send Ghanaian troops to the unrest-stricken Niger as part of the ECOWAS standby force.

In a Facebook post, Mr. Ablakwa criticized the president for being vague about his plans for Niger and for refusing to submit any requests to Parliament for careful review, both of which he characterized as “most undemocratic and awfully reckless.”

Additionally, he asked the leaders of ECOWAS “to stop the warmongering and give diplomacy and constructive dialogue a chance.”

“Ghana’s brave soldiers must be kept far away from the looming bloodbath.” he continued.