Ghana's military intervention in Mali has no negative impact on the country - GAF

The Ghana Armed Forces is insisting that sending military personnel to Mali to support United Nations Mission (MINUSMA) there will not affect the security of the nation in anyway.

A contingent of 55 military personnel has been dispatched to help combat terrorists in Mali.

There are growing concerns that countries joining the fight against the terrorists could suffer attacks similar to that suffered by Kenya.

Kenyans are constantly being attacked by the Al Shabab militants for intervening in Somalia.

But GAF's Public Relations Director, Lt. Col Aggrey Quarshie told Joy News the concerns expressed were unfounded, insisting the mission would not have any negative impact on the country.

Mali has been unstable since 2012, after Al – Qaeda linked militants seized the Northern parts of the country.

Security Analyst and Head of Research at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping and Training Center, Dr. Kwesi Aning told Joy News that if there should be an attack on Ghana, it will have nothing to do with the MINUSMA intervention.

West Africa's security environment, he pointed out has “changed fundamentally and our collective thinking as to how to understand and possibly respond to any such threats must change and I think we need to delink it from any international peacekeeping engagement.”

He said the personnel's presence in Mali formed part of “our international responsibility to help Mali and I think it contributes to Ghana's reputation.”

The security environment in the sub-region has changed so dramatically and that, all countries in the region are now under threat from radicalized groups as the Al Shabab.

Also, he explained that Ghana's support in the mission demonstrated its commitment as a coalition partner, which sends a clear signal to both those who want to destabilize the sub-region and to the international partners.

Dr. Aning noted that even with the few men, the mission would contribute to creating the credibility that the job would be done.