Audio Attachment:Listen to Kwesi Pratt Jnr. on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' |
Seasoned Journalist Kwesi Pratt has vehemently kicked against the agreement by Government of Ghana for the United States of America government to set up a military base in Ghana.
The Defence Ministry has submitted to Parliament for approval a memorandum on the controversial agreement.
Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul believed the agreement will contribute to enhanced security cooperation between Ghana and the US.
He however denied certain claims in the public domain that the agreement grants the US military free access to "a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions.”
Mr. Nitiwul stated emphatically that the claims are untrue; adding that what is being considered a military base is only a “defence cooperation agreement” between the two countries to train Ghanaian soldiers, a Daily Graphic publication on Tuesday noted.
The Minister further explained that the Ghana and the US have had a mutual relationship over the years and carried out joint exercises but what the US Military force seeks to do now which includes the use of two buildings in the Kotoka International Airport area is not different.
To him, there is no cause for alarm.
But Kwesi Pratt, speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, expressed disappointment in the Defence Minister and the Akufo-Addo government for having such a contractual agreement with the US.
Mr. Pratt was extremely saddened and likened the agreement to a betrayal of Ghana's independence saying "no benefit is more important than the protection of our national sovereignty”.
“That sovereignty, that independence, should not be toyed with. It should not be thrown away for nothing. And in fact, with that sovereignty, even if you bring billion (billion) dollars; you cannot buy that sovereignty. It should not be able to buy that sovereignty", he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.
Pointing out some ridiculous clauses in the agreement, Mr. Pratt said Government of Ghana has agreed to grant access to the US Military to use the nation's radio spectrum without paying an amount to the country, whiles US soldiers have been exempted from the payment of taxes.
He further stated that US soldiers, when they come to Ghana, have already been absolved from any claim of compensation should their activities cause damages or any kind of loss to the country.
“If an American soldier comes here and faults and shoots his gun to kill a Ghanaian soldier, we cannot claim compensation. Under this agreement, we cannot claim compensation . . . This agreement takes the relationship to a higher level. So, tell me why there’s the need for this agreement?”.
Kwesi Pratt found these privileges outrageous and wondered why the government would trade such grants with the US.
“When these United States forces come to our country, they will not pay taxes for anything. We have exempted them from the payment of tax . . . There’s even something which is worse. The United States now, when they come to Ghana, they can use our radio spectrum without paying for it; for free. [Peace FM] we all remember what happened recently with Ghanaians who are using radio spectrum to set up their radio stations and television stations, and so forth. They told us because they cannot afford to pay, we’re closing them down. These are Ghanaians. For United States Armed Forces, when they come, they are given the spectrum free of charge...
" . . when you sign international agreement, the privileges you give to your partners; they must give you the same privileges. Look at this agreement and see what is reciprocal in this agreement. There’s nothing reciprocal in this agreement. One-sided agreement, all benefits accrue to the United States of America. Nothing accrues to us . . . I’m extremely sad”, he stressed.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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All those siding with that 'Hypocrite' called Kwasi Pratt have missed the point BIG TIME. He talks on emotions instead of facts. He is NOT like Kwaku Baako who backs his arguments with paper evidence. Listening to Kwaku Baako on Kokrokoo at Peacefm this morning, makes Kwasi Pratt argument MUTE. He knows NOTHING, only follows NDC blindly. This same agreement with the US has been there since 1998 during the NDC time, and now look at the INCOMPETENT Haruna Idrisu. SAD for NDC. They do not read! 'Dr. Bawmia wo bo nie'! NDC people and their followers DO NOT READ!
kwasi pratt is 100% right on this issue. the problem is when you have an ***barred word*** shithole minister from a shithole country to take decision for the rest of ghanaians this is what happens. the other issue is certain people from tribes should not and never be appointed to certain positions in ghana. it happened during ndc administration when a minister agreed with a multinational company to create problem for ghana. people from these tribes though educated do not think far and future and should not be appointed to certain positions. Yaw Osarfo MArfo said it and we branded him as tribalistic. this agreement is more than the stupiiiid issue with the two gitmo guys. Please lets be very careful in our thinking always ghana first.DO we agree that we are a shithole country because ghana will soon attract terrorist whether we like it or not. L AM INDEED VERY SAD fo ghana to have such idioooots to take decisions for a whole country because of politics. we shall see. HONESTY IS GONE TO THE DOGS WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS
As I read the contributions on this platform I am sadden. It appears to me Some Ghanaian knows very little about how the U.S conducts its affairs in countries where it has Military Bases. To be insulting Kwasi Pratt is to show how myopic we are as a people. We should give our teachers who thought a little credit that indeed we have learnt something. This Agreement is a dangerous development and I am sadden that Nana Addo and his govt could stoop soo low to even agree to this at cabinet level. I am ashamed.
is it not the same Kwesi Pratt who claimed during Prez. Kufour's time that Prez Kufour and the then American Prez. George Busshh were planning to build an American military base in Ghana? and what did he get for an answer from Prez.George Busshh Baloney, do guys remember? so why should we believe this liar of a journalist again. I rest my case for now
immediate demonstration is needed for this second colonization
Kwesi, you were not surprised when the Gitmo 2 were drawn down here. You defended it and talked less. Did we not lose our sovereignty in that deal. Was it not one-sided. what did Ghana gained from the Gitmo 2.????. So be it. Let our elected government do its work for the benefit of Ghana.
KWASI PRATT YOUR IDEAS ARE DONE. WE ARE MOVING FORWARD
Kwesi Pratt a.k.a the "Dean of All Knowledge".Massa we want the US MILITARY BASE in Ghana if you can't stay Here you can leave.KWESI say e be socialist but go e house and go see "the FLEET OF CARS" e dey e HOUSE.A BIG H'YPOCRITE
do we really sturdy the clauses when we are signing agreements with foreigners or we always close our eyes? don't we have government experts? don't we have lawyers? assuming the defence minister cannot read or think, cant the minority also do likewise? And those who are insulting Kwesi Pratt should continue. He has everything what about you guys insulting him? for now you will think he hates the NPP, when stories begins to fold, then you will see
We ordinary Ghanaian's want the US MILITARY BASE so Kwesi Pratt and his minority people can go to HELL. Kwesi your not the only person who can talk in this country.You are a BIG H'ypocrite.