Gov?t Blames Press 'Exaggeration'

Visiting CIA Director Michael V Hayden may take some notes back to his boss George W Bush on how not to bid farewell to the man who has been in charge of your nation's security for the length of your presidency. When you take a decision or implement a decision in such a way that gets both your loyalists and enemies nervous and unhappy, then you must know that you have dropped a brick, or to put it in blunt words, you've goofed - not so much in the decision but in its implementation.

The common public sentiment goes like this: 'Mr President, you have every right, armed with the information you have, to which we are not privy, to sack your National Security Minister. Our worry is the way you go about it.?

Last Saturday, Ghanaians received the shocking news that Francis Poku, the Minister for National Security had been dismissed. No explanations given. But, The Statesman can report that the President had lost the confidence of his National Security Minister, which made the prospect of continuing to work together highly untenable.

But just as the nation was trying to get to grips with the dismissal, news broke yesterday morning that armed police and soldiers had surrounded Mr Poku?s official residence, placing him under what eye witnesses, a security analyst and a human rights lawyer all described as virtual ?house arrest.? Government has since denied this.

Now, when Kwesi Pratt Jnr goes to the defence of the man, who, just last week, was ultimately being accused of frustrating CJA efforts to hold their Tamale demonstration, then you know you?ve made a howler.

So tense was the situation at the North Ridge official residence of the former security chief yesterday that he had to angrily come to the front gate to get his family members in. Fiifi Boafo, ?Oman FM anchorman, said the policemen at the gate told Mr Poku they had instructions not to allow anybody in or out of the house.

Though, the armed personnel were soon withdrawn from the house, the public relations disaster had already occurred. The general sentiment being that, this is a sad way to end what the majority of Ghanaians saw as years of distinguished service in keeping the nation generally peaceful and stable, despite isolated hitches.

The Statesman learnt that yesterday?s high-handed operation was to secure certain sensitive documents expected to be in the personal possession of the former security capo, a whole four days after his removal.

A source at the Castle Annex (Blue Gate), the National Security HQ, told our correspondent that Mr Poku had intimated his preference to quietly handing over his notes of office yesterday, with the advice to his former subordinates to avoid further contact with him so as to maintain the integrity of the system after his departure.

But, in a bold press release yesterday, Information Minister Oboshie Sai Cofie sought to assure the nation that "the ongoing events are in the best interest of the country." The statement was "to confirm that Mr Francis Poku is NOT and has not been under house arrest and that the events of this morning have been the routine workings of National security. Mr Francis Poku as a security professional himself is very much aware of these routine procedures."

The statement described yesterday?s events as "routine and in conformity with worldwide practice," a process of "debriefing and completing a handing-over procedure."

But, she was challenged by Fred Chidi of Citi FM?s Eye Witness News that the events of the morning was arguably not in conformity with worldwide practice.

The NDC later described the events "as worldwide NPP practice." Alhaji Abukari Sumari, Minority Spokesman on National Security described Mr Poku as a "fine gentleman who?d kept the country peaceful." He also feared that Mr Poku?s exit would let loose the hawks within the establishment.

But, a senior intelligence officer, who spoke to this paper, said the kind of "softly-but-firmly approach that Ghanaians have associated with the government in the last seven years will continue. The democratic culture is well-established and the system is strong enough to continue without any hitch."

However, the Information Minister?s press statement attempted to explain the public tension generated by yesterday?s events as rather media-inspired. "Surprisingly the [security] detail met some pressmen at the premises who apparently misunderstood their presence and carried the news in an exaggerated fashion, calling the incident a ?house arrest?."

The common sentiment within the high security echelons was that the system was stronger than any individual. But, this has not stopped nervousness gripping the nation from the untidy manner Mr Poku?s departure has been handled.

Top government officials, who spoke to this paper under anonymity are of the opinion that Mr Poku?s position had become untenable.

Mr Poku had used the special relationship he had established with Meir Dagan, the man who took over Mossad, the Israeli secret service, just months after President Kufuor appointed Mr Poku National Security Co-ordinator.

Ghana?s National Security and the Political Action and Liaison Department of Mossad have been cooperating successfully, with Mossad?s special branches of Metsada and Lohamah Psichologit, allegedly offering valuable training to their Ghanaian counterparts, our sources say.

But, Mr Poku?s waterloo was, according to our sources, his decision to invite into the country, some Israeli intelligence personnel without the express knowledge of the Commander-in-Chief, J A Kufuor.

Besides, in line with the same co-operational programme, Ghana?s head of Military Intelligence Brig Gen R O Sackey had also gone to Israel to train with Aman, the country?s Military Intelligence.

For seven years, the founder of the National Democratic Congress, Jerry John Rawlings, saw Mr Poku, National Security Co-ordinator until his ministerial elevation, as his nemesis. Yet, yesterday, his party?s Women?s Organiser, Ama Benyiwa Doe, expressed concerns within his party that Francis? departure could give way to a take-over by the ?hawks? within the New Patriotic Party.

However, any insider would say that Mr Poku had it coming.

To many top politicians and security personnel that this paper spoke to, it was only a question of when the two men, President J A Kufuor and Francis Poku would part ways.

"The two men had worked excellently together to defy detractors and keep the nation on track. But, mistrust had set in and when the relationship between the head of state and his head of security gains some doubt then it?s only a matter of how long the two men could pretend."

Though some have reduced it to the usual power game, according to an Independent report Tuesday, the relationship between Mr Poku and the other security heads, notably, the police, armed forces, foreign intelligence and even the BNI had strained.

Messrs Sam Ghartey Amoo and J Amofa (former BNI boss) had been brought in, operating from the Castle, to offer parallel intelligence, with the former as National Security Co-ordinator. But, Francis the artful operator managed to hold his turf, getting his replacement as security co-ordinator to cooperate with him.

A very senior New Patriotic Party officer told The Statesman yesterday, "This is a dangerous move. Whatever it is, we can?t treat [Mr Poku] like an enemy to the state."

Mr Poku, who was a master in courting both journalists and opposition voices, won several friends across board over the years. His calculated ways and means has not only endeared him to several influential people, but has ensured his command of ruthless loyalty and allegiance from some very special security personnel. Though, Mrs Sai Coffie said yesterday?s seemingly botched operation was a mere "debriefing", observers are of the view that certain vital information, including the smooth handing over of very valuable moles may now be difficult.

According to Joy News correspondent Israel Laryea, who put the number of security operatives at Mr Poku?s residence yesterday at about 20, about 10 of the operatives in military fatigues were sitting in a Toyota Tundra pick-up vehicle while two armed others were manning the gate to the house.

Several others were in the house. The Managing Editor of the Insight, Mr Pratt, who spoke to newsmen after arriving in the Ridge house in the morning, said from all indications, Francis Poku was under house arrest.

According to sources. Mr Pratt put the number of security personnel at about 35, including some in bullet proof vests. Kwesi Pratt said all visitors were later asked to leave the house because Francis Poku was not allowed visitors.

Owula Mangortey, who was apparently with Mr Poku in the morning when the officers arrived also described the scene as akin to house arrest. The political analyst, who broke the news on Peace FM said he was in the house with Mr Poku when three police officers entered and told the former Minister that he was not supposed to leave the house.