Ghana’s rescue efforts still lagging

President John Atta Mills' government is accelerating its efforts to evacuate Ghanaian nationals from Libya after a very sluggish start at the beginning of the political crisis. However the effort by Ghanaian officials still efforts lag way behind those of countries in the European Union, India and Ghana’ regional neighbour Nigeria which has chartered planes to rescue its nationals.

On the other fronts – such as the condemnation of the Qadhafi regime for its murderous attacks on its own people and the application of financial sanctions against Tripoli – Ghana's diplomacy under the uncertain guidance of Foreign Minister Muhammad Mumuni could be said to be missing in action.

Part of the problem may be Mumuni's incompetence and political vacillation on most issues, another problem be the previously close relations that some senior members of the
ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had nurtured with the Qadhafi regime.

Ghana and Kenya have been widely listed as countries where the Qadhafi family and sundry Libyan state investment vehicles such as the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) and its many subsidiaries have put money in companies and institutions. None of these investments are yet subject to sanctions and therefore, for the Qadhafi regime, its interests in Ghana and other African countries could become increasingly important if the sanctions start to have a debilitating effect on its ability to procure weapons and fuel.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates