The Prime Minster of Italy, Matteo Renzi, has admonished Ghana to overcome the fear of terrorism, promising the support of Italy in tackling the canker in the sub-region.
Matteo Renzi, Italy’s youngest Prime Minster, who is in Ghana for a two-day visit, gave the advise while addressing Ghana’s Parliament on Tuesday, February 2016.
The PM’s comment comes at a time when Ghanaians have harshly criticized government’s decision to host two former Guantanamo Bay detainees of Yemeni origin, who were incarcerated for allegedly being terrorists.
[contextly_sidebar id=”fzwCgDue9HmSEyJVTgRG5INhSnZrksiA”]Some African countries, notably neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, have in recent times seen terrorist attacks leading to the loss of human lives.
Without specifically mentioning the terror attacks in the sub-region or the hosting of the Guantanamo Bay detainees in Ghana, the PM in his address to parliament, highlighted the growing threat of terror in the world and stated, that democracy and the upholding of human rights were critical to combating terrorism.
“I deeply believe the democracy, culture and the defense of the individual rights are the last form of resistance against violence,” Mr Renzi stated.
A very passionate Mr. Renzi was of the view that Ghana’s culture is key in keeping the Ghanaian society together and winning the battle against terrorism.
“I want to highlight today to this august house, that not only does culture keep societies together, but it is also what helps us win over fear, win over terror.”
According to Mr. Renzi, one of the devices of terror groups is to disintegrate societies by making them live in fear thus, he admonished Ghana to overcome the atmosphere of fear brought on by terror groups.
“When they are not able to kill, the try to force us to live in fear. We must refuse this message and together, in the name of culture, in the name of ideas, in the name of democracy fight against this terrible message.”
Mr. Renzi assured Ghana of Italy’s support in the war against terror saying, “Italy is strongly committed to supporting peace and security in Africa.”
Also on the security front, Prime Minister Renzi pledged to promote the development of the peace keeping capabilities of their African partners.
“Since 2008, the Italian-African peace facility has provided a flexible instrument to finance ad support African Union’s projects in the field of peace and security,” he noted.
The Prime Minister of Italy arrived in Accra on Monday and held bilateral talks with President Mahama before being hosted to a dinner.
He will later in the day visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
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By Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana