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The Campaign Coordinator for the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) opines that the ripple effect of the Wikileaks latest report on Ghana �can be very dire for Ghana�s democratic processes�. Dr Steve Manteaw, who was expressing his view on the leaks on the Big Bite on Xfm 95.1, asserted that the damning reports on Ghana raises a lot of security concerns as well. �For me when you have political and opinion leaders struck with verbal diarrhea, it can be problematic for even the security of this nation. One cannot tell what is being let out in secret; and this is worrying,� he said. The leaked US diplomatic cable revealed confidential information provided by some officials of government, political gurus and some journalists on sensitive issues about the presidency and national interest to the US Embassy in Accra. Inasmuch as he concerted that the views shared were not meant for public consumption, Dr Manteaw said there should have been some level of discretion in what can or cannot be told foreign officials, since such information are meant to form foreign policies on Ghana. �We all do share candid views in private. So some of the things leaked are nothing new; but to pass on those kind of information which are just subjective opinions in a manner that makes it look like fact is what for me has raised a lot of concern and this can have negative fallouts in terms of the democratic processes in Ghana,� he opined. Aside this, he said, the leaked cables is going to create a certain level of mistrust among people of the same political party, further asking, �if party leaders can make such comments about their own people, then to what extent can you trust them in your daily engagements?� �It will also deepen the rift between opposing political parties. For me, the ripple effect of this revelation can be very dire for Ghana�s democratic process,� Dr Manteaw added. He advised that politicians and opinion leaders should be �very mindful� of statements they make even in private about people and ensure that those statements are facts. �In a very frank and candid way, people are going to know what others think about them...We need to draw lessons from it; those who have expressed those candid opinions should be mindful next time�.