Gun-wearing leader sparks concern at Ghana inauguration.

Capt Ibrahim Traore (L) greeted Ghana’s new President John Mahama (R).courtesy image

Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, raised eyebrows at the inauguration of Ghana’s new president, John Mahama, on Tuesday, when he appeared with a holstered pistol at his waist. This move has sparked significant concern, with many questioning the breach of security protocols at such a high-profile event.

Traore, who was one of 17 heads of state attending the ceremony, is yet to clarify whether he had explicit permission to carry the weapon.

His appearance with a firearm has led to speculation that it might indicate a lack of trust in the Ghanaian security forces’ ability to adequately protect the Burkinabe junta leader. This is seen as especially significant given the context of ongoing diplomatic tensions in West Africa.

While it is customary for the host country to ensure the safety of visiting leaders, security analysts have pointed out that the presence of a firearm at the inauguration was unusual. Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso, a security expert, noted that the responsibility of securing the visiting head of state typically lies with the host nation’s officials. He suggested that the issue could have been avoided if there had been prior coordination between Ghanaian and Burkinabe security teams to ensure proper protocols were followed. “Either that wasn’t done or it was poorly done,” he said.

Further backing this view, retired Colonel Festus Aboagye, another security analyst, emphasized that while the host country is generally responsible for security, bilateral arrangements can sometimes lead to variations in protocols.

The incident occurred in a delicate political environment, as Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, recently broke away from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form a new regional alliance. The strained relations between the military-led governments of these countries and ECOWAS, of which Ghana is a member, may have influenced Traore’s decision to carry a weapon.

Despite the concerns raised, the situation did not escalate, and the inauguration proceeded without any incidents. However, the unusual display has prompted further discussions on security protocols and the diplomatic signals being sent amid ongoing regional tensions.

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