Emmanuel Bensah, a policy analyst with ECOWAS and the African Union, has raised concerns about security protocols following an incident during the swearing-in ceremony of President John Dramani Mahama.

The incident involved Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso’s Head of State, who approached President Mahama while visibly carrying a sidearm.

This act has drawn widespread public attention, with many questioning the adequacy of security measures at such a high-profile event. The situation has reignited discussions about balancing diplomatic protocol and security at state functions, particularly in a region where leadership stability is a critical concern.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on January 7, 2024, Bensah described the incident as a “security risk” from a civilian perspective, highlighting the need for stricter measures to ensure safety at similar events.

He emphasised the need for stringent protocols in the future to prevent similar occurrences.

“Looking at it from a civilian point of view, that was a security risk. I would want to believe that there would have been a security sweep before Ibrahim went on to greet Mahama. Nonetheless, it was a little awkward, and I hope these are some of the things we need to look at going forward. Because it is important, and anything could have happened,” Bensah stated.

President Mahama’s inauguration, held on January 7, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra, was a historic event attended by dignitaries and citizens alike.