For a security expert with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, the act depicts a lack of civilization for the security of the country.

The free-for-all fight broke out on Thursday when the president, in the company of some government officials, joined the Asantehene to perform the final funeral rites of the late Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwaatia V.

TV3’s William Evans-Nkum was at the event and reports that the show of power nearly marred the otherwise solemn occasion in the Ashanti Region.

The late Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwaatia was the warlord of the Asantehene.  He died some weeks ago.

Hundreds of mourners including a high-powered government delegation and some political figures were at Bantam in Kumasi to pay their last respect.

Moment after President Mahama in the company of the Chief of Staff and the other top government officials exchanged pleasantries with NPP’s flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, the clash erupted between the security details of both sides.

But for the timely intervention of a combined police and military personnel, the fight would have escalated.

However, the Executive Director of WANEP told Martin Asiedu Dartey on TV3 Midday News Friday, the incident is not “surprising but regrettable”.

Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze said such an occurrence would not happen in a highly civilized and revered country.

“It doesn’t connote civilization or respect for the security of the state,” he stressed.

He said for people, especially political leaders, to hire private persons to guide them shows a loss of confidence in the security agencies.

Nonetheless, he believes persons who want protection should officially write to the police instead of going for macho men to protect them.

Chukwuemeka Eze also charged the security agencies to ensure that the incident does not fester to disrupt this year’s general elections.

Source: Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana