There's no security vacuum - Oboshie

Page 24: January 15, 2008
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Information and National Orientation Minister, Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie, has given the assurance that the exit of Mr Francis Poku as Minister for National Security will not create any security vacuum.
She said the country’s security was in safe hands and, therefore, there was no cause for alarm.
The President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, last Saturday relieved Mr Poku of his post as Minister for National Security in a statement signed by his Secretary, Ambassador D.K. Osei.
Responding to concerns on the implications of the sudden removal of the Security Minister, Mrs Sai Cofie said measures were in place to ensure the smooth running of the state security, including the Ghana 2008 tournament and the general election.
She reminded Ghanaians that until the appointment of Mr Poku as Minister for National Security in 2006, there was no minister responsible for security.
She said it was Mr Poku who supervised national security as the National Security Co-ordinator from 2001 until his appointment as the substantive Minister.
Mrs Sai Cofie said there was a substantive National Security Co-ordinator in place, in the person of Dr Sam Amoo, adding that Dr Amoo was an experienced person who was doing his job well.
She said Mr Poku’s exit would also not affect any of the peace processes in conflict areas of the country, since state machinery was fully in charge.
Mrs Sai Cofie explained that if it became necessary for reasons to be given for Mr Poku’s removal, the President would do so.
“We cannot force the President to give the substantive reasons for his action. The President is strict and demands high standards from his officers,” she added.
She said no one could put his or her finger on the reasons for the President’s action and urged Ghanaians to leave it at that.