Hannah Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), has addressed concerns about the President of Burkina Faso’s appearance at President John Dramani Mahama’s recent inauguration ceremony.
During an interview on 3FM with Johnnie Hughes, Tetteh acknowledged public reactions to the Burkina Faso leader being visibly armed at the event. However, she emphasized the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic ties between Ghana and Burkina Faso, noting that the presence of the Burkinabé leader was ultimately a positive development.
“Burkina Faso is our immediate neighbor, and we must preserve a good relationship to address shared issues, especially those along our borders,” Tetteh stated. She encouraged Ghanaians to focus on the broader implications of regional cooperation rather than fixate on the optics of the firearm.
While admitting that the armed presence was unusual for such a ceremonial occasion, Tetteh stressed that the President’s attendance highlighted the interconnectedness of the two nations and the need for continued collaboration on security and development.
She concluded by urging the public to look beyond the controversy and recognize the significance of regional solidarity.
