Security Analyst, Adib Saani, has said that most foreign countries still perceive Ghana to be a ‘Banana Republic’; a lawless country.
He reiterated that despite earnest efforts to sell the positive brand of the country, Ghanaians have also lost touch with the reality that some countries believe wealth puts you above the law and for him, Aisha Huang’s saga proves the narrative.
In an interview with Sefah-Danquah on e.tv Ghana’s ‘Fact Sheet’ show, Adib Saani indicated that if such perceptions were proven otherwise, the likes of Aisha would not surface in Ghana.
“I find this unfortunate because I think Ghanaians don’t understand what opinions these people have about Africa perhaps Ghana. They think we’re a banana republic. They think we’re a lawless country where if you have money, you can do whatever you like and get away with it. Trust me if Aisha Huang had known for a fact that we’re not animals but Humans with laws, she wouldn’t have dared returned after what happened in the past. You see they have total disregard for the laws of the country but I cannot completely blame them. I blame the authorities who are supposed to ensure the right things are done. Because if we had prosecuted her, I’m not sure this would have happened,” he told Sefah-Danquah.
He further quizzed the diplomatic factor in her initial deportation in 2018, and the context of the agreement between the Ghanaian and Chinese governments.
“I’m also wondering if her deportation in the first instance involves some diplomatic work between Ghana and China. If indeed that went into the deportation, then I’m sorry to say the Chinese government hasn’t helped. This is based on the premise that her deportation was known and perhaps agreed upon between the two countries because if you engage yourself in criminality in one country and you’re extradited to your home country you’re supposed to face the music,” he added.
Meanwhile, checks by the Ghana News Agency indicated that she could serve 24 months in jail if found to have broken the country’s laws on Immigration.
By: Jude Tackie
Ghana identified as a ‘Banana Republic’ internationally – Adib Saani
