He said, “Ghanaians may love Americans but not to the extent of living with [the] foreign troops,” he said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4NZIs060FW3T7c0MnzgsdUZBIMiG3doN”]Rawlings, a former military leader, suggested that the presence of US troops in the country as being championed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, could be considered as foreign domination on the economic and social lives of Ghanaians.

The government is actively pushing for the indefinite hosting of military personnel and equipment from the US in Ghana, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the countries earlier in March 2018.

The Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, who laid the agreement before Parliament for consideration on Tuesday, argued that Ghana stands to benefit so much from the agreement.

While denying that a land will be allocated to foreign troops to serve as a base, he said a few buildings have been identified close to the Kotoka International Airport to be made available for the use of the US officers.

As part of the agreement, 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.

Also, the foreign troops will be permitted to wear their uniforms, carry weapons, and use their foreign documents including drivers’ licenses in the country without restriction.

Although many Ghanaians are crying foul over the agreement, Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul says their concerns are misplaced.

But Rawlings, who has so far been very supportive of decisions by the Akufo-Addo government is not enthused about the moves to host the US troops.

“Ghanaians may love Americans, but not to the extent of living with foreign troops on such a scale. Ghanaians have enough foreigners dominating their economic and social life. Adding foreign troops to the discomfort would be a bit too much. Ghanaians have felt stateless before in my lifetime. Let’s not go there again,” Rawlings said.

Meanwhile, the minority in Parliament has called on the government to immediately withdraw the agreement from Parliament.

The Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday said the government’s action was akin to selling Ghana’s sovereignty to the US for a paltry $20 million which the US Embassy in Ghana says the US is committing to Ghana’s security for 2018.

They are calling for wider consultations on the agreement before it is considered after a possible review of some of the clauses.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Ghanaians not ready to live with foreign troops’ – Rawlings appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the conditions stated in the agreement are akin to Ghana selling its sovereignty to the US.

The United States Embassy in Ghana in denying reports that the US government is planning to establish a military base in Ghana, said “This year, the United States of America is investing over $20 million in training and equipment for the Ghanaian armed forces. Ghana is also once again preparing to train U.S forces – as it did in 2017. The United States and Ghana are planning joint security exercises in 2018, which require access to Ghanaian bases by US participants and those from other nationals when included”.

It said it is only planning joint security exercises with Ghana, which will require that US military personnel are allowed access to Ghana’s military facilities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”T7VxxqRKhAMljraOot1WaqpKRDNFqQk8″]But speaking on Eyewitness News, the North Tongu Member of Parliament said government took a dangerous path by not consulting with political parties and other stakeholders on the agreement, knowing that the decisions taken transcend beyond a particular government.

“We need to withdraw this agreement from Parliament. Withdraw it, and let’s have broad stakeholder consultation, especially as you are seeking to bind the people of this country, to bind political parties, successive governments in perpetuity. Take your time, why the rush?  This business of $20million at a time that we are talking about Ghana beyond aid? So for $20 million, we are willing to sell our birthright?,” he quizzed.

The Government of Ghana on Tuesday presented before Parliament for ratification, a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation between Ghana and the United States, that will give the Americans some space in the country to set up a base for its military forces.

The document sighted by citifmonline.com said Cabinet approved the MoU on March 8, 2018, and recommended to Parliament to ratify the agreement to allow the US forces and their equipment unhindered access into Ghana.

‘Details of agreement’

Among other things, 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.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed resentment over the clauses of the agreement, the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, said the agreement is in the best interest of Ghana.

He said that the US personnel will only be given a few buildings to operate in, contrary to media reports that a portion of land was going to be allocated to them for the establishment of a base.

‘Ghana will face terror threats’

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told Umaru Sanada Amadu on Eyewitness News that Ghana will among other things face threats of terrorism if it goes ahead to sign the agreement.

“This particular agreement deviates from the norm. Having studied all the agreements we have had, this is too expansive, this surrenders the sovereignty of Ghana, this does not pay attention to Ghanaian law, and it’s quite an affront to the people of this country. It will also expose us unnecessarily to terrorists and all of those who have made it their point to go after installations and bases of the United States of America,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Must we sell our birthright to US for $20m? – Ablakwa asks appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The document sighted by citifmonline.com said Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding on March 8, 2018, and recommended to Parliament to ratify the agreement to allow the US forces and their equipment unhindered access into Ghana.

Details of agreement

Per the agreement, the US military force is among other things to be exempted from paying tax on the equipment to be brought into Ghana.

The US will also be given the chance to set up its own telecommunication system, but will also be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

The document supposedly sent to Parliament by the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, had an introductory letter signed by Cabinet’s Secretary, Mercy Debrah-Karikari.

“Cabinet at its twenty-eighth meeting held on Thursday, 8^th March, 2018, discussed a report presented by the Security Committee of Cabinet on a Memorandum submitted by the Minister of Defence on the above subject.”

“The Memorandum sought Cabinet approval for an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Ghana on Defence co-operation, the Status of the United States Forces and Access to the Use  of Agreed Facilities and Areas in the Republic of Ghana. Cabinet approved the Memorandum and recommend same to Parliament for ratification. I should be grateful if you could take requisite action on the decision by Cabinet,” the letter added.

Gitmo 2 row

This comes on the back of the camping of two former Guantanamo Bay detainees, Umar Bin Atef and Khalid Al-Dhuby in Ghana; a decision taken by the previous Mahama administration that was widely criticized  by individuals and groups including the then New Patriotic Party [NPP] in opposition.

Although the agreement for hosting the two elapsed on January 6, 2018, it later emerged that the former detainees have been given refugee status.

The US government subsequently said they ceased taking responsibility for the two after the agreement ended.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t signs MoU to host US ‘military base’ in Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He explained that government remained committed to ensuring the growth of the mining sector but insisted that illegal miners will be dealt with it so long as Operation Vanguard is still functioning under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RZcOOIg0Cu7Busi8R8A80lELg5OZZM81″]“Nobody is stopping mining, mining will continue to go on still whether it is small or big, but it must be legal. It must be coordinated and it must be regulated so the President decided to form a taskforce with the Military and the Police, 400 men to go and stop illegal mining or Galamsey,” he said.

He further indicated that the state of water bodies has not changed so government is involving the navy to go augment the efforts of the operation vanguard who were already there, the engineering regiment has also moved in to assist to control the activities of illegal mining.

Government set up the anti-illegal mining tax force to flush out illegal miners from mining areas.

Their work has however been hampered by miners on water bodies who often outwit them leading to this latest measure.

The Defence Minister said the government was bent on ending illegal mining.

He pleaded with Ghanaians to support and help government curb this situation once and for all.

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By: Eugenia Tenkorang & Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t to involve marine police in galamsey fight appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.