Under the agreement, Ghana will among other things host some US troops as well as give them free access to Ghana’s radio spectrum.

[contextly_sidebar id=”PQStOcRx8tLoDbohfnlUFaxqLl8Cky2C”]They will also be given unhindered access to some of the country’s key military installations, but many Ghanaians, including pressure groups, have kicked against it, arguing that given the clauses, Ghana would be indirectly selling its sovereignty to the US.

Both the Government and the US Embassy in Ghana have both attempted to provide some clarity on the matter, saying Ghana will not permanently host  the US troops.

Despite these explanations, opposition parties last week organised a protest against the deal, insisting on a change of some of the clauses which may infringe on Ghana’s sovereignty.

Thus, some Ghanaians have taken to Twitter to seek more answers from the US embassy account on the app.

Read the exchange below:

Twitter user, Salifu Saaka Mahamud asked, “The US Ambassador was asked this question of permanency stay of US troops in Ghana by Joy FM and many media outlets in Ghana and he could not tell how long they were going to stay in Ghana. So what are they talking about?”

In the Embassy’s response, it said,

Another Twitter user said,

“…Ghanaian Authorities don’t have any right to prosecute any US Military Officer if he or she commits a crime in Ghana. 4. Tax-free to import and export 5. They can use our radio spectrum for free 6. Ghanaian Authorities don’t have any right to inspect whatever they do in Ghana…”

The response of the Embassy was;

In response to Yao Noah Nash’s question, “Why is it in the agreement that things shipped to #Ghana can’t be checked and soldiers can’t check. Can we do that in [your] country?. Why ask for frequency if [you] are here for training of Ghanaian soldiers like [you] said. I smell [a] rat.”

The Embassy said:

“Import and export without inspection of our immigration officials. This is a total mockery of our immigration laws. Only God knows what they will import,” Kamassah Richlove tweeted at the Embassy.

For its response, the Embassy said:

The Embassy’s other responses to provide clarity on the agreement are as follows:

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Although he failed to categorically mention the timelines for the departure of the troops, he said, “once the [military] exercise is over, the Americans will leave.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”yn6elNI1iVk76mcNOrlh36aQUdufPEjf”]Many Ghanaians are crying foul over an agreement between the Government of Ghana and the American government for some facilities in the country to be given to US troops to conduct various defence exercises including training Ghanaian military personnel.

As part of the agreement which the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has laid before Parliament for approval, 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 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.

“We are going to have three major exercises including one on counter-terrorism exercise. Will bring “a few hundred Americans and several hundred troops from Ghana’s neighbors together with the Ghana Armed Forces so that they learn to work more effectively together… For each exercise, we are looking at up to 200 Americans. This is not an invasion,” he added.

While insisting that Ghana will gain significantly from the activities of the US troops in the country, he said, “20 million dollars being invested in the Ghanaian Armed Forces in one year [2018] is a pretty significant return.”

Rawlings against the move

Former President of Ghana and ex-military leader, Jerry John Rawlings, has joined the many other stakeholders to kick against plans of the government to proceed with the agreement.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Rawlings, who has so far been very supportive of actions of the Akufo-Addo government said Ghanaians are not ready to live with the 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,” said.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have also indicated their strong resentment for the move, noting that an approval will open Ghana up for terror.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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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=”wTs1B11sOLrEF0usoaxq3888lgJarUsx”]Ghanaians have expressed shock over a confidential document indicating that cabinet had approved a Memorandum of Understanding for defence cooperation with the United States of America.

As part of the agreement, the US will among other things, be exempted from paying tax on equipment to be brought into Ghana and will also be given the opportunity to set up a telecommunication service on a radio spectrum given to them for free by the government.

But the Embassy, in a statement copied to citifmonline.com said, “the United States has not requested, nor does it plan to establish a military base or bases in Ghana.”

While urging concerned persons to direct their concerns and queries on the matter to the government of Ghana, the Embassy said Ghana and the US had an existing Status of Forces Agreement, an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation stationing military forces in that country, which has been in existence for the past 20 years.

“The current Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the United States of Americ and the Republic of Ghana is approximately 20 years old. It does not cover the current range and volume of bilateral exercises and assistance,” the statement 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 added.

Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has said that the proposed land to be given out for the purpose of the US military’s use is close to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

He added that they do not seek to build a military base as being reported in the media.

In a Citi News interview, he said, “soldiers who will be operating here are less than 200 and they will not be stationed here, they will come and go. It’s not a military base. We don’t even have enough space in the agreed area for them to put up big structures. It’s just around the airport area,”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonliene.com/Ghana

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Any decision on the contested city’s status must be “within the framework of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians”, Mr Macron said.

Earlier, similar warnings came from a number of Arab and Muslim nations.

Reports say the US president will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital this week.

Both Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as their capital.

The White House said Mr Trump would miss Monday’s deadline to sign a waiver delaying the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But White House spokesman Hogan Gidley stressed that “the president has been clear on this issue from the get-go: It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when”.

Every president, including Mr Trump, has signed the waiver every six months since US Congress passed an act in 1995 calling for the embassy to be moved.

What’s so contentious about the move?

The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians, who are backed by the rest of the Arab and wider Islamic world.

The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem.

Israel occupied the area in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital.

The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.

Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognised internationally, and all countries, including Israel’s closest ally the US, maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Since 1967, Israel has built a dozen settlements, home to about 200,000 Jews, in East Jerusalem. These are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

If the US recognises Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, it will put it out-of-step with the rest of the international community and reinforce Israel’s position that settlements in the east are valid Israeli communities.

What has been the international reaction?

On Monday, Saudi Arabia said such a move before a final settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would “have a detrimental impact on the peace process”.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged world leaders to intervene, saying “such a US decision would destroy the peace process”.

Jordan has warned of “grave consequences”, while Arab League chief Abul Gheit has said such a move would “nourish fanaticism and violence”.

Turkish Deputy PM Bekir Bozdag has said this would be a “major catastrophe”.

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Source: BBC

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So far, six people have been confirmed dead with nearly 40 others sustaining varying degrees of injury.

The Embassy took to Twitter to express its condolence, saying, “We extend our deepest condolences following last night’s explosion and wish peace, strength and recovery to all those affected.”

We extend our deepest condolences following last night’s explosion and wish peace, strength and recovery to all those affected.

— US Embassy Ghana (@USEmbassyGhana) October 8, 2017

[contextly_sidebar id=”ybUVr1gOjchZjnzpfNt0Hk1E6PjgqMb6″]The explosion occurred at the MANSCO gas station at Atomic Junction near the University of Ghana.

Residents were thrown into a state of pandemonium following the piercing sound of the explosion as well as the giant scary fireball that was formed in the sky.

The gory incident left six people dead, with scores of people sustaining injuries. Top government officials including the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,visited the site on Sunday to monitor the situation.

Bawumia rushes back to Accra

The Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, who on Saturday joined President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on a three-day official tour of the Northern Region, was compelled to leave for Accra when the news broke out.

He has so far visited the site of the explosion, and has visited the 37 Military Hospital to commiserate with the victims.

He has promised that Government will foot the bills of all the injured persons. He however assured the populace that this time round, government will be stricter on safety measures by introducing a new policy in the petroleum retail sector to prevent such disasters.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also expressed his devastation at the incident.

Nana Addo, who is touring the Northern region, tweeted after the explosion and said “My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, and I wish the injured speedy recovery,” he added.

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By: Melvin Clottey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Fellows interacted with Ambassador Robert Jackson, and shared amazing stories of their experiences, lessons acquired and skills gained.

Ambassador Jackson said the US government was looking forward with great expectation to see how the fellows will put the skills gained to good use to the benefit of Ghana.

Speaking to citifmonline.com, one of the fellows, Philip Osei Bonsu, thanked the Embassy, and said he was convinced that his colleagues will put to good use the skills gained for Ghana’s benefit.

In attendance were staff of the US Embassy, including Sophia Bosompem, Cultural Affairs Specialist, Sarah Shabbir, Cultural Attaché, Rukmini Essel, Alumni Coordinator, Roberto Quiroz, Public Affairs Director, US Embassy Ghana.

Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Communications, Vincent Odotei-Sowah, representing the government, thanked the US government for its commitment towards nurturing Ghana’s human resource, which will essentially accelerate the country’s development, as the beneficiaries of the project contribute their quota to nation building.

Earlier, the fellows were hosted briefly at the Flagstaff House by the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

In a related development, the maiden brainstorming session of the Mandela Washington Fellows Association of Ghana, was held to deliberate on the way forward for the association, and also officially introduce the national executives to members.

The Association is made up of fellows from all the cohorts since 2014, and has Prosper Amuquandoh as President, Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo, Vice President, Mutaru Muqthar, Secretary, Nana Opoku Afriyie-Asante, Treasurer, Akosua Afriyie Osei-Appaw, Projects Director, and Philip Osei Bonsu, an astute broadcaster as the Media Relations and Publicity Director.

About the YALI program

Forty (40) Ghanaians participated in the United State of America’s (USA) 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI).

YALI was launched in 2010 by US president Barack Obama to invest in the next generation of African leaders and nurture them as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship takes young African leaders to the United States for 6 weeks of leadership training and mentoring at twenty U.S. universities and colleges in three areas: business and entrepreneurship, civic engagement and public administration.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Photo Credit: US Embassy Ghana

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The award, which is in its 10th year, is to recognize a Ghanaian citizen who personifies Dr. King’s philosophy and actions and his works have significantly inured to the benefit of society.

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson in his address at the award event on Thursday morning said Dr. King fought for equal rights through nonviolent protests and through constructive dialogue. His message and his methods remain relevant throughout the world today.  He understood that change happens when people are informed — when they become convinced that the status quo is simply not good enough, and that they deserve better.”

He said, Prof. Gyimah-Boadi had set a “lofty standard for scholarly research among the think tank community in Ghana, and across Africa.”

“His work has helped promote democracy, good governance, and economic opportunity.  He has championed human rights for marginalized and vulnerable populations. In doing so, he has served as an advocate for millions of people, giving them greater access to essential services and a greater voice in how they are governed,” he added.

Professor Gyimah Boadi had spent many years of his life working to promote democracy in Ghana and Africa through various organizations he has been affiliated with.

At the Center for Democratic Development in Ghana, where is the Executive Director, he has championed many policy ideas and positions aimed at strengthening the country’s democracy and ensuring good and accountable governance.

Robert Jackson described him as a “one of those rare men.”

“I think Dr. King would respect the way he has asked hard questions and discerned the truth.  I think he would be pleased with his tireless efforts to inform the people, so they can stand up for their rights and demand good governance and accountability.  I think Dr. King would respect the way he has constructively challenged governments, civil society, citizens, and all of us to think about the future of Africa, the future of democracy, and our responsibility to ensure peace, justice and equality for all,” the ambassador said.

The awards ceremony was attended by the heads of various civil society groups and think tanks. Also in attendance was the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu.

About Prof. Gyimah-Boadi

He is the Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), an independent, non partisan and, non-profit policy research and advocacy organization dedicated to the promotion of democracy, good governance and economic opportunity in Ghana and Africa; and the Afrobarometer, a pan-African survey research project tracking public opinion on political, economic and social developments in African countries.

He is also a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon.

With a PhD from the University of California (Davis) and a BA from the University of Ghana, he has taught in several universities in Africa and the United States, in addition to the University of Ghana.

He has undertaken consultancy assignments and written many commissioned reports.

A fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, he is also a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Democracy; the International Advisory Board of the International Center for Transitional Justice (New York); the Founding Advisory Group of the Institute for Integrated Transitions [IFIT] (Madrid); and the Technical Committee and Advisory Council of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (London). He also serves on the governing council of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (the local chapter of Transparency International); and the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This is according to Press Attache’ at the US Embassy in Ghana, Sarah Stealy.

[contextly_sidebar id=”U8HzhgedOufwj4Cuskq0m4mk5YEHlkNu”]The clarification follows indications that the US government had withdrawn protocol visa allocation to high-level state officials, after the US Ambassador, Robert Jackson met Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee last week.

But speaking to Citi News, Sarah Stealy explained that diplomatic courtesies would still be extended to Ghana’s Former Presidents who embark  on personal visits.

“Under US law, anybody seeking a non immigrant visa to travel to the United States generally need to appear in person for an interview with the Consular Officer. That has been the law. Under the law there are also a few exceptions under which the interview may be raised and that includes when diplomats and officials are travelling on official business to the United States but under the law if they are applying for a new visa for personal travel then they may appear in person for the interview. If there are special circumstances such as a former President coming in and the Ambassador mentioned this, that we have procedures to ensure that we extend courtesies to them. They don’t have to queue up,” she explained.

Why the visa ban?

Explaining his outfit’s position to members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament after an earlier letter informing Parliament about the decision on Thursday, Mr Robert Jackson said: “As for the protocol, normally if you are applying for official travel there is no personal appearance required so there is no reason for your parliamentary protocol officer to come to the Embassy whatever.”

“The normal channel will be for him to pass the visas and passport to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and their protocol people will be permitted to come to the Embassy, and we will do everything we can to process those visas within 48 hours of receipt. If you are travelling for tourism or business that is not related to government business, you will be required to make a personal appearance even with former Presidents. There are no exceptions.”

This directive follows a similar position taken by the UK High Commission on the issuance of visas for personal visits after some four Members of Parliament were alleged to have engaged in visa fraud.

The United States Embassy in Ghana has since released a statement explaining that the notification on visa allocations to government officials, including MPs and former Presidents visiting the US unofficially is in accordance with already existing US law.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The embassy in a statement indicated that, under US law, when a diplomat or official applies for a new visa for personal travel, that applicant must appear in person for an interview.

[contextly_sidebar id=”vM3PVxNXp4zYkGREQCkepE6SXQXE5gvc”]It noted further that exceptions to the visa interview may be granted for officials travelling on official government business.

“This is not a new policy. In such limited and special circumstances as having a former president come in, we have procedures established to ensure the appropriate courtesies are extended. When a diplomat or official applies for a visa for personal travel, it is neither necessary nor appropriate for the applicant to be accompanied to the interview by protocol assistants.”

The statement added that, “as a general policy, only visa applicants are allowed in the waiting room. Our communication to the Government of Ghana was meant to clarify this policy. We will continue to work with the government to facilitate legitimate personal and official travel.”

After the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson, at a meeting with Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, clarified that even former presidents would be required to appear in person at the embassy to request visas for personal travels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would seek clarity on the matter.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said the government would take a decision on the matter after it got the full facts from the US Embassy.

Some MPs have called for a reversal of the decision or retaliation from the Akufo-Addo administration.

Find below the full statement

Statement from the U.S. Embassy on Visa Interview Policy

Under U.S. law, travelers seeking a nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States must generally appear in person for an interview with a consular officer.

U.S. law also designates limited exceptions under which the visa interview may be waived, such as for diplomats and officials traveling on official government business. However, under U.S. law, when a diplomat or official applies for a new visa for personal travel, that applicant must appear in person for an interview.

This is not a new policy. In such limited and special circumstances as having a former president come in, we have procedures established to ensure the appropriate courtesies are extended. When a diplomat or official applies for a visa for personal travel, it is neither necessary nor appropriate for the applicant to be accompanied to the interview by protocol assistants.

As a general policy, only visa applicants are allowed in the waiting room. Our communication to the Government of Ghana was meant to clarify this policy. We will continue to work with the government to facilitate legitimate personal and official travel.

Sara Veldhuizen Stealy, Press Attaché

U.S. Embassy Accra

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

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According to her, the government will take a decision on the matter after it gets the full facts from the US Embassy.

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson, at a meeting with Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, said former presidents and parliamentarians would be required to make a personal appearance at the Embassy to request visas if they are going on personal travels.

“Now if you are traveling for tourism or business that is not related to government business, you will need to make a personal appearance. I want to reiterate, for official travel, protocol officers pass the passports for visa applications through the foreign ministry and the foreign ministry’s protocol officers bring it to us. But for personal travel, every person is required to make a personal appearance, even former presidents of Ghana have to come in for personal appearance,” he said.

But the Foreign Affairs Minister said she will be seeking clarification on the announcement.

“Somebody of a level of the president or a former president has reached the point where everybody knows him or her and therefore, some of these things are done away with. I don’t think that it goes all the way to that level, but I still have to find out. But when it comes to Members of Parliament yes they may be required to [do so].”

She however said Ghana may be forced to equally introduce such a measure against ex-US officials after she has been fully briefed on the matter.

“If it is done to you, also, you do the same. We need to engage them to find out what exactly has necessitated this.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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