Accra, Ghana, June 8, 2019//- Ghana should take the current “trend” of kidnappings much more serious if it wants to attract tourists and investors into the West African country.
Ghana should use any available means to find the kidnappers, prosecute and punish them.
If necessary by hanging (which has not been cancelled from our laws) or if it’s up to me Sharia (crucifixion) way or any other way to put such a fear in potential kidnappers that anybody having such idea’s will immediately change its mind hearing what will happen to him/her.
Does that sound too radical to you?
Then allow me to explain why:
Ghana has over the last few decades built a great reputation as the safest country in Africa.
Ghana is, because of that reputation the first choice of many volunteers from America, Canada, and many European countries. These volunteers don’t only educate and cure Ghanaians but also generate income for Ghana and Ghanaians.
Ghana has been safe haven for Ghanaians, regional and worldwide foreigners.
Because of our safety record Ghana is one of the latest emerging tourist destinations in Africa. Tourism has the potential to create more jobs and income for Ghana than Cocoa and Oil together.
Ghana is working hard to be a regional transport and transit hub, which creates jobs and generates income for Ghana.
And all of that is under threat because of the recent kidnappings.
The first kidnappings were the so called “Takoradi Girls” a heinous crime against innocent young girls, results after almost 10 months: Zero.
The second kidnapping was the Honorary Consul of Estonia (a Lebanese by birth), a good friend of mine who managed to free himself but an, in my eyes, less than professional SWAT team managed to let all the culprits escape.
The third was an Indian national in Kumase, who managed to free himself and run of. Also in this case the culprits have also disappeared.
Last, but not least and probably not the last: the kidnapping of 2 Canadian girls. Volunteers’ who came here with the idea to help Ghana and Ghanaians.
Aside the kidnap of the young girls from Takoradi, all others involved foreigners.
The Lebanese and Indian communities in Ghana consist of many businesses and investors by mostly live long residents in Ghana. Do we want them to be targeted and leave Ghana?
The volunteers’ were not only young girls in a strange country but I am sure their parents warned about Africa before going. After arriving in Ghana they must have experienced a safe and free country and are now scared to death by the recent events probably blind folded, threatened and we may only hope that no other horrible events have taken place.
Canada, but I am sure all other countries sending volunteers’, business people and tourist as well, have been posting security and safety warnings on their foreign ministries websites about traveling to Ghana.
This will have big consequences for Ghana’s development, investments, tourism and image.
Our Government, all involved ministries and security forces should make every efforts to find this Takoradi and Canadian girls. If necessary with house to house and neighborhood searches and or offering a huge reward leading to the arrest of the kidnappers.
I mostly ignore people blaming Nigerians for everything criminal and bad in Ghana, but one thing is sure, no Ghanaian or foreigner wants Ghana to become like Nigeria concerning kidnappings for ransom, because it would destroy our beloved Ghana.
Therefore I call upon any citizen, resident and visitor: let’s all help our government and security services because Ghana, as we know it, is under threat.
By Nico van Staalduinen, a proud Ghanaian of our great and safe nation Ghana
