Gov't facilitated Poku's exit - intelligence officer

Story: Albert K. Salia
A former intelligence officer says it is doubtful that Mr Francis Poku left the shores of Ghana unnoticed.
The officer, who once served in this government, said he was convinced that Mr Poku's departure was an "enabled sneak" as it is known in security parlance.
The officer, who wants to remain anonymous, said if it were the case that there was no official facilitation of the former security chief's departure, then "there is something seriously wrong with our security setup at the moment".
He said following the intervention of several prominent personalities including the Asantehene, "I believe his departure under those circumstances was a compromise".
According to him, although Mr Poku was very smart, "he would not open himself to anyone for abuse. He did not sneak out on his own".
He wondered why Mr Poku would sneak out under such circumstances unless he was a fugitive or feared for his life.
Assigning reasons for his contention that there was official facilitation, the officer explained that although the official surveillance team had been withdrawn, there could have been a discreet counter surveillance team without the knowledge of the early team, as is the practice.
Moreover, he said, although Mr Poku was not under any form of restrictions, officials of any entry or exit points would have sought clearance from the headquarters before allowing Mr Poku out of the country.
The officer explained that in such official facilitated exits, a route was normally mapped out for the person leaving the country and would be met at the "other end by an official of the Ghana Mission" to facilitate his/her exit from that country to the destination point.
As to why Mr Poku would want to leave the country, the officer said Mr Poku had indicated to a number of people that he would want to "cool off" in London after things had calmed down in Ghana.
He said Mr Poku's saga would not die now until several questions had been answered.
He said the media should question how he left the shores of Ghana and why he sneaked out, since answers to such questions would re-assure the populace that all was well with the country's security system.