The Agreement was ratified last Friday amidst fierce resistance by the minority caucus led by Haruna Iddrisu.

[contextly_sidebar id=”K1rX3MOHWaSiJCQzPegqGxPg183R1Qyp”]Some Ghanaians had also staged a protest in front of the Parliament House to kick against the ratification of the controversial agreement, but the majority caucus went ahead to ratify after the minority staged a walkout.

Even though government has defended the Agreement and justified its ratification, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee for Defence and Interior, James Agalga, has told Citi News the process of ratifying the agreement did not go through the due constitutional processes.

“If you look at the constitution, Parliament can only pass executed international agreements. Parliament does not, cannot and should not ever ratify a draft agreement. But unfortunately, what we did was to ratify a draft agreement,” he said.

As part of the agreement which has in the past week been a subject of most radio and television discussions, the US military will be exempted from paying taxes on equipment they will bring to Ghana.

They will also be allowed to set up a telecommunication system on Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.

Ghanaian authorities will also be restricted from accessing the facilities given to the US officials when they begin using them.

With some suggesting that signing of the agreement will mean ceding Ghana’s sovereignty to America, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson, said the presence of the troops must not be seen as an invasion.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Brogya Genfi, has filed an application at the Supreme Court challenging the Parliamentary ratification of the Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement.

Among other things, he is seeking a declaration from the court that the Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul erred in law by laying before Parliament an unexecuted draft agreement.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ratifiying US ‘military camp’ agreement ‘unconstitutional’ – Agalga appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This they contend will help the services discharge their duties efficiently in combating crime.

[contextly_sidebar id=”E5IJcNH3u3TGmfILP6BwQa1sw7BPIQeH”]The call follows recent cases of crime recorded in the country with the latest being the killing of a Police Officer on duty last Sunday dawn at the Kwabenya District Police station.

Suspected armed robbers raided the police station, attacked the officer on duty and freed seven cell inmates.

The police are currently on a manhunt for the seven fugitives, as well as the suspected armed robbers who attacked the Kwabenya police station.

Speaking to Citi News, Minority spokesperson on Interior and Defense, James Agalga, said the government must expedite actions to avert further crimes.

“We want to see the police service properly retooled. We want to see the Armed Forces properly retooled. With time if we don’t see that happening definitely we are going to be asking questions. We want it to be done almost immediately because our security agencies are over stretched.”

“We have received reports to the effect that the MCE of Wa [Municipal Assembly] has also been attacked, on Christmas day, the MP for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku was attacked, the NPP Chairman for Akyem Akroso was attacked. In his own words he had to return fire in order to repel his assailants. These things clearly are a reflection of the state of our security. So we need to ensure that our security services are retooled and right strategies are put in place,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Retool security agencies to fight crime – Minority demands appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“He had every right to put in place additional measures to enhance his own personal safety and security, there is nothing wrong with that,” Agalga said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”euzq0HyBV22lY4YuNbQWvUFZeMiopDri”]Inusah Fuseini has been heavily criticized after he claimed that the device intercepted in the current Minister’s office, Peter Amewu, was fixed by him to boost his own security during his fight against illegal mining at the time.

However many have questioned why he left the device there after he was reassigned.

Inusah Fuseini also disclosed that, the device was not functional because he didn’t complete the installation process, but that some persons including the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, took a swipe at him for not removing the device.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Agalga dispelled suggestions that the Mahama government failed to provide adequate security for its ministers, which compelled Inusah Fuseini to beef up his own security.

He insisted that “the security of ministers was well catered for.”

“Every minister of state under President Mahama had personal security. Bodyguards were attached to all the ministers. They were also given home security; they had guards deployed to their private residencies. And so if ministers found it necessary to introduce additional measures for additional security cover and protection, I’m saying that there is nothing wrong with that.”

I also have gadgets installed to boost my security

Mr. Agalga, who is currently the ranking member on the defense and interior committee of Parliament, and MP for Builsa North, said he at a time also purchased some gadgets to boost his own security.

He however failed to disclose where the gadgets were installed.

“There were gadgets I purchased them out of curiosity and I used some of them on my own accord. That by no stretch of imagination can be interpreted to mean that security was lax and that is why I decided to purchase some of those security gadgets on my own accord and use them. They were additional measures that nobody could prevent the other from using.The government of President Mahama was on top of security in this country,” he added.

I feel ‘naked’ after discovery of spying device – Nii Osah Mills

Meanwhile, the immediate past Lands and Natural Resources Minister under the NDC, Nii Osah Mills, has expressed shock and disappointment over the discovery of a secret audio visual recording device in the office he previously occupied.

According to him, the revelation by his colleague, Inusah Fuseini, who said he fixed in the office for his personal use, is unfair because he [Osah Mills] has apparently been under secret surveillance while in office.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Nothing wrong with Fusieni’s spying device – Agalga appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Interior Ministry had announced in a statement that, Friday, November 4, would be National Farmers Day, but will not be observed as a Public Holiday, noting that, December 2, will remain the Public Holiday, despite the Farmers Day celebration being brought forward.

[contextly_sidebar id=”K4ad4XLrFEm6PdDnpS4I5fk2eYCbYU3V”]The first Friday in December is normally earmarked as the Farmers Day holiday, but the ceremony accompanying the event has been brought forward to November 4 because of the December 7 elections.

Despite the earlier statement, the Deputy Minister of Interior, James Agalga, said on Accra-based Starr FM that tomorrow [Friday], would be a holiday.

Mr. Agalga’s comments, coupled with the circulation of conflicting statements from the Interior Ministry regarding the holiday, led to some confusion in the public domain.

But in an interview with Citi News, the Deputy Minister corrected the impression and confirmed that tomorrow [Friday], November 4, is not a holiday.

Mr. Agalga noted that, “the holiday as provided for in the statutes falls on 2nd December so come 2nd December, the holiday will be observed. But for tomorrow, we are only going to mark the Farmers Day celebration and the activities that will accompany it.”

He also explained that, the holiday could not be brought forward with the celebrations because some legislation would have to be amended to make that possible.

“It is a question of law, the Public Holiday Act. If you look at the schedule, 2nd December is captured therein as the Farmer’s Day holiday. You would have to amend the law and legislation, and going through the parliamentary procedure will not be easy so we leave it the way it is,” Mr. Agalga stated.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Friday, Nov. 4 not a holiday – Interior Ministry clarifies appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.