“Under no circumstances therefore should any preferential concession be considered in any collaboration which impacts on the Ghanaian Sovereignty and Human Rights. We appeal to His Excellency the President to ensure due process is exhausted with due diligence to expunge the controversial articles from the agreement in the interest of National Security and public order,” a statement from the federation said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3sF7CIGQfs9BQ7iowgHupGWspbCtxwVD”]Parliament last Friday [March 23, 2018], approved the controversial Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement which will allow the United States access into the country to camp some of its military forces.

The deal was approved by only Majority Members of Parliament after the Minority staged a walkout during the debate on the Floor of the House.

They had claimed that the agreement was not in the interest of the country and should be rejected.

Hundreds of Ghanaians hit the streets of Accra on Wednesday to protest the agreement ratified by Parliament saying it infringes on the sovereignty of Ghana.

The Labour Federation, in its statement, expressed worry over the agreement stating that it could have negative ripple effects on the country’s workforce.

“We are indeed worried and scared about the far-reaching consequences for labour and the entire populace if the country’s laws are compromised for the sake of partnership Agreement with a country which has little respect for conventional Rules and Regulations,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement from the Ghana Federation of Labour:

The Ghana Federationof Labour has followed with dismay the partisan political debate over the sovereignty of our country vis-à-vis the US military and Ghana Government Agreement, a discourse which as polarized the society.

We are indeed worried and scared about the far reaching consequences for labour and the entire populace if the country’s laws are compromised for the sake of partnership Agreement with a country which has little respect for conventional Rules and Regulations.

The United States of America as a permanent member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has refused to ratify critical OLO core labour standards, conventions 87 and 98 concerning Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Rights thereby violating the rights of workers with impunity.

Under no circumstances therefore should any preferential concession be considered in any collaboration with impacts on the Ghanaian Sovereignty and Human Rights.

We appeal to His Excellency the President to ensure due process is exhausted with due diligence to expunge the controversial articles from the agreement in the interest of National Security and public order.

We solidarise with civil society organisations which have expressed concern about the enhanced slavery of the people of Ghana.

Signed by:

Caleb Nartey, President

&

Abraham Koomson, Secretary General

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The group said the agreement is not in the best interest of the country, and must not be implemented.

Parliament last Friday ratified the agreement, which allows the US military to camp some of its military forces in the country.

The pact, which was approved without the minority in Parliament who were vehemently opposed to it, will also grant the US access to some of Ghana’s national security installations.

Speaking to Citi News, Convener of Ghana First, Edem Agbana, said it is aimed at putting pressure on government to withdraw the agreement.

“We believe that when we march unto the street, and demonstrate our anger, displeasure and disagreement with this particular deal that the government of Ghana has entered into with the US on behalf of the good people of Ghana, it will give the government an understanding that the people on whose behalf they have ratified this agreement are not in favour of it, and that they ought to withdraw it and get back to the negotiation table. Issues of national security are too sensitive issues to be left to politicians alone. We want the people to have an understanding of what it is that their government that they elected on 7^th December 2016 have entered into on their behalf,” he added.

Parliament on Friday night, March 23, 2018, approved the controversial Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement

The approval was done by only Majority Members of Parliament because the Minority staged a walkout during the debate on the Floor of the House.

Cabinet approves MoU

Ghana’s Cabinet had agreed to provide the US’ military troop a place near the Kotoka International Airport, and also give them unhindered access to some key installations following a Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Ghana and the US government.

The MoU was laid before Parliament on Tuesday recommending to Parliament to ratify the agreement, but it was rejected by the opposition.

With the agreement ratified, it means that the US troops will among other things be exempted from paying taxes on equipment that are brought to Ghana as well as use Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.

The troops and their equipment will also have unhindered access to the US forces and their equipment.

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.

The Government has consistently explained that it was only respecting the existing Status of Forces Agreement with the US signed since 1998 and reviewed in 2015, under the previous NDC administration.

But the NDC Minority has downplayed this argument saying the agreement as existed in the past, did not have the same clauses like the current one that gives the US unlimited access to Ghana’s military facilities.

The US Embassy in Ghana has also explained that it is only planning joint security exercises with Ghana, which will require that US military personnel are allowed access to Ghana’s military facilities and that they are not building a military base.

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

Protest at Parliament

Before the approval on Friday, a number of protesters who tried to gain access to Parliament to kick against the anticipated approval were prevented from entering the House.

The main entrance of the House was shut with strict access checks conducted for members of the public and workers who sought to enter.

The protesters however chanted slogans and songs outside the House.

Hosting US soldiers will trigger terror attacks – NDC

The NDC at a news conference on Thursday, said Ghana could become a target for extremists if the agreement was allowed to go through.

The General Secretary of the party, Asiedu Nketia, who said this indicated that a ratification of the agreement will send wrong signals which could subsequently make Ghana vulnerable to attacks.

‘We’ll review deal in 2021’

The NDC has already served notice that if the deal is approved, they will suspend and review it when they return to office in 2021.

“We wish to state here and now that if President Akufo-Addo and his NPP administration proceed to ratify the agreement despite protests and public sentiments, the NDC administration which will assume the reins of government in 2021, will suspend the agreement and initiate a far reaching review.”

–

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The approval was done by only Majority Members of Parliament because the Minority staged a walkout during the debate on the Floor of the House.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jlkgpCU1oFW2RiEJ43AFDu2SbS6Ob6Ll”]It appears the House was bent on getting the agreement through before it rises for recess.

“This House adopts the report from the joint committee on defense and interior,” the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye said after the approval.

Prior to staging the walkout, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, spoke for close to 17 minutes giving a litany of reasons why they believe the agreement should not be ratified by Parliament.

Cabinet approves MoU

Ghana’s Cabinet had agreed to provide the US’ military troop a place near the Kotoka International Airport, and also give them unhindered access to some key installations following a Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Ghana and the US government.

The MoU was laid before before Parliament on Tuesday recommending to Parliament to ratify the agreement, but it was rejected by the opposition in Parliament.

With the agreement ratified, it means that the US troops will among other things be exempted from paying taxes on equipment that are brought to Ghana as well as use Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.

The troops and their equipment will also have unhindered access to the US forces and their equipment.

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.

The Government has consistently explained that it was only respecting the existing Status of Forces Agreement with the US signed since 1998 and reviewed in 2015, under the previous NDC administration.

But the NDC Minority has downplayed this argument saying the agreement as existed in the past, did not have the same clauses like the current one that gives the US unlimited access to Ghana’s military facilities.

The US Embassy in Ghana has also explained that it is only planning joint security exercises with Ghana, which will require that US military personnel are allowed access to Ghana’s military facilities, and that they are not building a military base.

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

Minority blocks report

The Minority on Thursday blocked the laying before Parliament, the report of the Joint Committee on Defence and Interior and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on the agreement seeking to ratify the hosting of  US military troops in Ghana.

It was however laid today, Friday, March 23, 2018, and subsequently approved late hours on the same day.

‘Protests today, expect more Wednesday’

Earlier today [Friday], a number of protesters who tried to gain access to Parliament to kick against the anticipated approval of the deal were prevented from entering the House.

The main entrance of the House was shut with strict access checks being conducted for members of the public and workers seeking to enter.

The protesters however chanted slogans and songs outside the House.

The leader of the protesters, a suspended CPP executive member, Ernesto Yeboah, who was dissatisfied with Parliament’s decision, said they posed no threat to the security of the House.

“Are we holding guns? So on what basis are we disallowed from entering Parliament to have a sight of the proceedings in Parliament? They have absolutely no basis to restrain us from entering to have a sight of the proceedings. We are going to enter, we are going to sit down, we are going to observe the rules of Parliament.

Hosting US soldiers will trigger terror attacks – NDC

The NDC at a news conference on Thursday, said Ghana could become a target for extremists if the agreement was allowed to go through.

The General Secretary of the party, Asiedu Nketia, who said this indicated that a ratification of the agreement will send wrong signals which could subsequently make Ghana vulnerable to attacks.

‘We’ll review deal in 2021’

He indicated that, the deal, if ratified by Parliament, will be suspended and reviewed by the NDC if it returns to office in 2021.

“We wish to state here and now that if President Akufo-Addo and his NPP administration proceed to ratify the agreement despite protests and public sentiments, the NDC administration which will assume the reins of government in 2021, will suspend the agreement and initiate a far reaching review.”

‘You can’t compare ‘military base’ deal to Gitmo 2′ – Ablakwa

Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had said that the previous John Mahama administration’s handling of the hosting of the two Ex-Guantanamo Bay detainees in Ghana, cannot be compared the current government’s handling of the proposed US military camp in the country.

This is in spite of the fact that the Supreme Court declared that agreement illegal because it wasn’t approved by Parliament.

Some Ghanaians had questioned the Minority’s moral right to take on government seeing the controversy that surrounded the hosting of the ex-Gitmo two who have now become a burden for the government.

But speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Ablakwa refuted these claims, insisting that unlike this current deal, the previous government consulted key stakeholders, including political party leaders before sealing the Gitmo two agreement.

–

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Security personnel in Parliament say the protesters have no clearance from the authorities to embark on such an exercise.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4SfaRGNoMCBLy2BhRgWbTf42pxHZCsCj”]The main entrance of the House, has thus been shut with strict access checks being conducted for members of the public and workers seeking to enter.

The protesters are however chanting slogans and songs despite being prevented from entering.

The leader of the protesters, suspended CPP executive member Ernesto Yeboah, who was dissatisfied with Parliament’s decision, said they pose no threat to the security of the House.

“Are we holding guns? So on what basis are we disallowed from entering Parliament to have a sight of the proceedings in Parliament? They have absolutely no basis to restrain us from entering to have a sight of the proceedings. We are going to enter, we are going to sit down, we are going to observe the rules of Parliament.

“Indeed, we have told all Ghanaians that there is no threat. There is no danger. That nobody should be afraid. The reason you can call yourself a Ghanaian is because of that sovereignty. Today that sovereignty is under threat and that is exactly why we are mobilizing the people in resistance. We are telling the people that the power you have, came from us.”

NDC leaders storm Parliament

NDC leaders storm Parliament; Minority in red over ‘military base’ debate

Meanwhile, top leaders of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), also stormed Parliament following reports that the House will debate the agreement seeking ratification to host a US military camp in Ghana.

The Minority Members of Parliament who have expressed their disapproval of the agreement are also clad in red armbands and headbands.

“The Minority MPs are either in red armbands or red headbands,” Citi News correspondent, Duke Mensah Opoku reported.

General Secretary of NDC and his deputy, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Koku Anyidoho, NDC National Vice Chairperson, Anita Desoso among other party leaders, are currently in the public gallery of Parliament to throw their weight behind the minority MPs.

Also present is the founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga.

Background

The Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, on Tuesday laid before Parliament the document seeking to ratify an agreement for space around the Kotoka International Airport, which will serve as a camp for some US military forces in Ghana.

If approved, the agreement will among other things, exempt the US government from paying taxes on equipment that is brought to Ghana.

They will also be given the chance to set their own telecommunication system, although they will be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed resentment over the clauses of the agreement, government had defended it and said the agreement is in the best interest of Ghana.

But the Minority has called on government to withdraw the agreement in its current form, saying it is not in the best interest of Ghana.

Minority blocks c’ttee report on US ‘military camp’

The Minority in Parliament on Thursday blocked the laying before Parliament, the report of the Joint Committee on Defence and Interior and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on the agreement.

In a brief protest between the two sides in Parliament on Thursday, the leadership of the Majority said the report was ready to be laid before the House to allow for debate.

However, the Minority disagreed insisting that the report wasn’t ready.

The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye subsequently ruled that the laying of the report should be skipped until the two sides can come to a consensus on it.

“If the report is ready it is ready. If it is not ready, you negotiate and if there is a negotiation and there is understanding I [will] proceed. [But] it appears there is clearly no negotiation so no progress,” Prof. Oquaye said.

–

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The Minority Members of Parliament who have expressed their disapproval of the agreement are also clad in red armbands and headbands.

“The minority MPs are either in red armbands or red headbands,” Citi News correspondent, Duke Mensah Opoku reported.

General Secretary of NDC and his deputy, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Koku Anyidoho, NDC National Vice Chairperson, Anita Desoso among other party leaders, are currently in the public gallery of Parliament to throw their weight behind the minority MPs.

Also present is the founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga.

The Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, on Tuesday laid before Parliament the document seeking to ratify an agreement for space around the Kotoka International Airport, which will serve as a camp for some US military forces in Ghana.

If approved, the agreement will among other things, exempt the US government from paying taxes on equipment that is brought to Ghana.

They will also be given the chance to set their own telecommunication system, although they will be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed resentment over the clauses of the agreement, government had defended it and said the agreement is in the best interest of Ghana.

But the Minority has called on government to withdraw the agreement in its current form, saying it is not in the best interest of Ghana.

The Minority in Parliament on Thursday blocked the laying before Parliament, the report of the Joint Committee on Defence and Interior and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on the agreement.

In a brief protest between the two sides in Parliament today [Thursday], the leadership of the Majority said the report was ready to be laid before the House to allow for debate.

However, the Minority disagreed insisting that the report wasn’t ready.

The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye subsequently ruled that the laying of the report should be skipped until the two sides can come to a consensus on it.

“If the report is ready it is ready. If it is not ready, you negotiate and if there is a negotiation and there is understanding I [will] proceed. [But] it appears there is clearly no negotiation so no progress,” Prof. Oquaye said.

–

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In a brief protest between the two sides in Parliament today [Thursday], the leadership of the Majority said the report was ready to be laid before the House to allow for debate.

However, the Minority disagreed, insisting that the report wasn’t ready.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5C8mqBiOVbotBaxwCipz5AVnOTiFRs9I”]Deputy Majority Leader, Adwoa Safo, said she had been informed by the Chairman of the Committee that “the report is ready, but it is not being taken today, we are only laying it and the report will be taken tomorrow [Friday].”

The Deputy Minority Leader, James Avedzi, disagreed and said: “The indication I have from the ranking member of the committee says that the 5(C) is not ready so I don’t know where the chairman is coming from. So the report for this agreement is not ready,” he stated.

The Speaker subsequently ruled that the laying of the report should be skipped until the two sides can come to a consensus on it.

“If the report is ready it is ready. If it is not ready, you negotiate and if there is a negotiation and there is understanding I [will] proceed. [But] it appears there is clearly no negotiation so no progress.”

NDC MP walks out of Committee meeting

A Member of the Committee and member of the Minority in Parliament, Rockson Dafeamekpor, on Wednesday walked out of a meeting to consider an agreement with the United States of America for a defence cooperation arrangement that will allow them to have a camp in Ghana for its military forces.

Mr. Dafeamekpor, said the agreement which had been brought before the House for ratification had not been signed by government, hence his decision to leave the meeting.

“As a Member of Parliament, I cannot be part of a process that will go and vary the terms of a memorandum that is yet to be signed. There is no signature on the memorandum. The memo accompanying the memorandum to Parliament says in paragraph three that Cabinet approved the memorandum and approved and recommended same for Parliament for ratification. So the exercise we are being called upon to engage in is to ratify. We are simply to look at it and by consensus or voting approve of the agreement,” he said.

Nitiwul lays document in Parliament

The Minister of Denfense, Dominic Nitiwul, on Tuesday laid before Parliament the document seeking to ratify an agreement for space around the Kotoka International Airport, which will serve as a camp for some US military forces in Ghana.

The agreement will among other things, exempt the US government from paying taxes on equipment that is brought to Ghana.

They will also be given the chance to set their own telecommunication system, although they will be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

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.

The United States Embassy in Ghana also denied reports that the US government is planning to establish a military base in Ghana.

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.

But the Minority had called on government to withdraw the agreement in its current form, saying it is not in the best interest of Ghana.

‘Ghanaians not ready to live with foreign troops’ – Rawlings
Former President Jerry John Rawlings, also waded into the controversy and said “Ghanaians may love Americans but not to the extent of living with [the] foreign troops,” he said.

–

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Mr. Dafeamekpor, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority, said the agreement that had been brought before the House for ratification had not been signed by government, hence his decision to leave the meeting.

“As a Member of Parliament, I cannot be part of a process that will go and vary the terms of a memorandum that is yet to be signed. There is no signature on the memorandum. The memo accompanying the memorandum to Parliament says in paragraph three that Cabinet approved the memorandum and approved and recommended same for Parliament for ratification. So the exercise we are being called upon to engage in is to ratify. We are simply to look at it and by consensus or voting approve of the agreement,” he said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”yarlq2RMkBDDoIVTOrhjNzVVeFN5bOxT”]“The document they have brought to Parliament is neither an agreement nor a Bill. So we are asking the government to do the appropriate thing. They should take back the memorandum, execute it and bring it to Parliament for our ratification.”

Nitiwul lays document in Parliament

The Minister of Denfense, Dominic Nitiwul, on Tuesday laid before Parliament a document seeking to ratify an agreement for space around the Kotoka International Airport, which will serve as a camp for some US military forces in Ghana.

The agreement will among other things, exempt the US government from paying taxes on equipment that is brought to Ghana.

They will also be given the chance to set their own telecommunication system, although they will be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

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.

The United States Embassy in Ghana also denied reports that the US government is planning to establish a military base in Ghana, saying “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.

Speaking to Citi News after walking out of the meeting, Mr. Dafeamekpor, who is also the MP for South Dayi, called on government to withdraw the document from Parliament, make the necessary amendments before re-laying in the House.

“They [government] want to use the backdoor process to leave the agreement for Parliament to review so that if there is a problem tomorrow then Parliament will be blamed. We have discovered this fundamental flaw in terms of procedure, and I’m bringing it to the attention of every well-meaning Ghanaian that this procedure is flawed, it ought not to be accepted, Parliament is being hoodwinked,” he said.

“Nobody realized and raised the fundamental issue on the floor, so we are raising it here at the committee level, but they are not minded to agree. But I don’t think me as a Member of Parliament will be part of this process. What they are doing, they are asking us to be part of the negotiation, it is not our role,” the South Dayi MP added.

–

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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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This he said is because the military personnel as well as civilians “will not be stationed here.”

“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,” he said in a Citi News interview on Tuesday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”wBwj3TqKA23XpqJBRVgl7OfMtbTeGWNO”]The Minister was speaking after government laid in Parliament for ratification, a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between Ghana and the United States, to give the Americans some space in the country to set up a camp for its military forces.

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

In the agreement, the US military force will among other things, be exempted from paying tax on equipment to be brought into Ghana and will also be given the chance to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

Although Parliament is yet to approve the agreement, many have raised concerns over the decision, questioning why the government will assent to it.

But the Minister after laying the document on the Floor of Parliament today [Tuesday], March 20, 2018, said the move is in the best interest of the country.

He also explained that the camp will not serve as a military base, adding that government spent a lot of time scrutinizing the document before approving it.

“This agreement has been in my office for eight months. I have been dealing with them trying to correct it and make sure it is something Ghanaians can accept. At a point, they [US team] have to even come down [to Ghana] with an eleven member team to be able to explain to us. We also sent an eleven member team. We went through it clause by clause. After we felt that we were satisfied, we sent it to Cabinet. It stayed in Cabinet for two months before it was approved. Nobody has signed any secret agreement,” he added.

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“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,” he stated.

According to Nitiwul, it is only a facility to camp US soldiers in the country saying “they will not be stationed here.”

The Government of Ghana has sent to Parliament for ratification, a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between Ghana and the United States, to give the Americans some space in the country to set up a camp for its military forces.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zwuh7Zt9kpReCJ2bPg6GyRSc4l3VenLS”]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.

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.

They will also be given the chance to set up their own telecommunication system, although they will be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

This has raised some eyebrows in the country with many questioning why the government will take such decision.

But defending the move in a Citi News interview after laying the document in Parliament on Tuesday, Dominic Nitiwul insisted that it is in the interest of Ghana.

Dominic Nitiwul also clarified the tax exemption part of the agreement saying it is in the best interest of the US military.

“If you give them a building it is up to them to be able to make some corrections in the building to suit the purpose which they are looking for. Military buildings and military purpose vehicles are different from the civilian ones. So if you give them a building or facility, they deserve the right to bring in contractors to make sure that they correct it to the standard they are looking for. And they are saying that when the contractors are working here in Ghana and they are bringing facilities in, Ghanaians should not take tax from them.”

Mr Nitiwul also said the US government has established such facilities in over 50 countries in the world with Ghana being second in Africa after Senegal.

“They have this agreement with over 50 countries. Ghana will be the 52^nd country they are going to do this with; in Africa, we are the second. And from there they are going to do with other countries. So it is not as if the US has targeted Ghana. This agreement has been in my office for eight months. I have been dealing with them trying to correct it and make sure it is something Ghanaians can accept,” he 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.

What is a Military base?

A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations.

In general, a military base provides accommodations for one or more units, but it may also be used as a command centre, a training ground, or a proving ground.

In most cases, a military base relies on some outside help in order to operate.

However, certain complex bases are able to endure by themselves for long periods because they are able to provide food, water and other life support necessities for their inhabitants while under siege.

Military bases for military aviation are called military air bases. Military bases for military ships are called naval bases.

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

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