Capt. Ibrahim Traoré was the least threat to President Mahama

Yesterday,7th January, 2025 the world witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of President John Dramani Mahama.It was such a joyous moment and the organisation has been top notch.But just as most important public events,this one has also sparked widespread discussion among Ghanaians.

Of the many things that has been passionately discussed by far, I wish to share my nugget of wisdom about a security concern raised widely on social media.

The presence of Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, was one of the most electrifying moments for the audience at the ceremony.It took such a moment for me to realise how likeable he has become among his fellow Africans.

However,he was visibly armed and opinions have been shared with many suggesting, he should have been stripped of his weapons.

While the event proceeded successfully, public sentiment remains divided over the decision to allow Traoré, a highly trained soldier, to come so close to Ghana’s leader while carrying a weapon.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré is widely regarded as a symbol of resilience joined the Army of Burkina Faso in 2009, and graduated from the Georges-Namoano Military Academy. After he went to Morocco for anti-aircraft training before being transferred to an infantry unit in Kaya, a town in northern Burkina Faso.He is a well trained and disciplined officer by all standards and capable of neutralizing threats even without a weapon.

Truth is, every part of a well trained soldier's body can be a weapon. So even if he got stripped of his weapons he could have still neutralised a target.Indeed, he was a potential risk,but his military regalia and visible side arms made him more predictable.

My experience with the military,coupled with basic knowledge in anatomy,I am certain that a well-trained individual can incapacitate a target with precise strikes to vulnerable areas like the larynx (voice box),trachea (wind pipe),carotid arteries which are at either side of the throat and vagus nerve near the carotid artery. Don't we see this in movies often?

Nevertheless,Captain Traoré's strap (weapon) was visible, but have we considered the vulnerability of the president to the plain clothed dignitaries that came to greet who may also have advanced combat training and knowledge in anatomy?

Everyone who had close proximity to the president was a potential threat.This is why there is nothing like complete security and the real threats are not always visible.

Nobody is ever truly safe in such high-stakes environments.

Even biblical narratives, such as God expelling Satan after an attempted coup in heaven, Revelation 12:7-9 ,serve as reminders that betrayal and danger can come from the most unexpected places.

Therefore Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the least of the threats we should be bothered about and I do not consider his visible weapon upon greeting the president as a lapse in protocol although it could have been avoided.

The real threats are not always visible. What about those who appear harmless but are skilled in combat?

In conclusion, it was a successful and well coordinated event and the president must set the ball rolling as the task ahead is voluptuous.

Congratulations to HE John Dramani Mahama and long live Mother Ghana.

By Dumenu Charles Selorm