Government has tarnished its image by failing to put in place tight security measures to ensure the arrest of Nayele Amtefeh at the Kotoka International Airport, a former Minister of Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen has said.
Nayele Ametefe successfully went through screening procedures at the Kotoka International Airport without any problems but was busted at Heathrow Airport in London after about 12.kg of cocaine was found in her hand luggage.
[contextly_sidebar id=”d19PN5estJSr0kBpRShc7BACbjZMbeM7″]Commenting on the issue on Eyewitness News, Mr. Boahen said; “this is very embarrassing. It is an indictment on the image and the integrity of the country known as Ghana.”
Government and NACOB have faced intense criticism from the public due to the inconsistencies in information they have churned out since the story broke.
NACOB earlier stated that it collaborated with the United Kingdom (UK), to arrest Nayele but the UK authorities in a rebuttal discounted the claims.
Government also contradicted claims by NACOB that it collaborated with UK authorities to arrest Nayele.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Omane Boamah insisted the claims by NACOB are untrue, saying ; “I state here and now that we discount the claims until NACOB provides the evidence that it collaborated with the British intelligence.”
According to Nana Obiri Boahen, “It has created a very bad image of Ghana,” in the eyes of the world.
Government has subsequently invited a few personalities suspected to be involved for questioning, while President John Mahama has also dissolved the governing board of NACOB.
A Deputy Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abiel Ashitey Armah and two others; Theophilus Kissi of the Research Department attached to the VVIP Lounge at the Kotoka International Airport and one Abubakar Ahmed have been invited by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for questioning.
The Acting Director of Passports Alexander Ntrakwa has also been questioned over the matter.
In the latest twist to the ongoing saga, the Minister of Communications Dr. Omane Boamah has challenged the UK authorities to divulge any information in relation to whether Nayele Ametefe indeed had a diplomatic passport on her at the time of her arrest.
“Let the British High Commission stand up and be counted… did she travel to Britain on a diplomatic passport or did she have a diplomatic passport in her possession?” he asked.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana