The Akufo-Addo government should be applauded by Ghanaians for not hiding the security deal between Ghana and the government of the United States of America contrary to what the Mahama administration did in a similar 2015 agreement, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has said.
The Bimbilla lawmaker told journalists in Accra on Wednesday, 21 March that unlike the 1998 and 2015 agreements that were hidden by the previous governments, one of which, he said, was signed by Hanna Tetteh, Foreign Affairs Minister in the Mahama administration about three years ago, the Akufo-Addo government has elected to be transparent with Ghanaians as far as the updated security deal is concerned.
In Mr Nitiwul’s view, there are virtually no differences between the two previous agreements and the current one, and, so, wondered why the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its Minority Caucus are accusing the current government of selling off Ghana’s sovereignty for $20million when it was the Mahama administration that signed one of the precedent agreements, which, according to him, have merely been upgraded.
He said all the things the NDC and the Minority are shouting about are already in the two previous agreements which were secretly signed by the previous governments.
“Two years ago, Hanna Tetteh sold us, not us. In 1998, they sold us,” Mr Nitiwul said.
Per the defence agreement between the two countries, Ghana would, among others, provide “unimpeded access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to United State forces, United States contractors, and others as mutually agreed. Such agreed facilities and area: or portions thereof, provided by Ghana shall be designated as either for exclusive use by Unite States forces or to be jointly used by United States forces and Ghana. Ghana shall also provide access to and use of a runway that meets the requirements of United States forces”.
Mr Nitiwul has, however, denied the U.S. will be building a military base per the agreement.
The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has also denied same. In a statement, the Embassy said on Tuesday, 20 March 2018 that: “The United States Embassy wishes to underscore that the United States has not requested, nor does it plan to establish a military base or bases in Ghana.”
“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 $20million 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”.
Source: classfmonline.com
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Mr Minister the problem on your head together with your gov't is bigger than your mental capability and therefore will ALWAYS attribute your inefficiency, mistakes and foolishness to the previous administration thinking every Ghanaian reasons like you. Granted that what you said about them is even true, what did the then opposition do and if it was done in secrecy as you suppose, must you come and follow the same path if what they did was bad? Please Ghanaians are wiser now than NPP and NDC.
sense..l.e.ss talk mr minister. if the former minister sold us and u kn it was wrong why are you also doing same. what kind of justification is this.
Mr minister why are continuing and enhancing the recklessness of the previous miniter.
You have made more sense than even the minister and his president. Excellent perspective from you. Keep it up.
Interesting times. Money money money. Just because of puny 20 million dollars, you want us to incur the wrath of terrorists who hate Americans. Kenya and Tanzania were attacked by terrorist just because of their association with USA. You can't even stand the mild terrorism being perpetrated by the invincible and delta forces, but you think when Isis and boko haram terrorists infiltrate our society to harm us you will be able to help yourself. Don't be fuuulled that USA troops in Ghana can't do anything to help you in case you are attacked by terrorists. They can't even help themselves in their own country. As we speak, in Texas bombs are exploding all over, and they have not been able to arrest anyone. The only thing USA army is able to do is react to attacks by responding with reprisal attacks. They are never proactive. Do you want Flagstaff house to be attacked by terrorists only for the U.S. military base in Ghana to react by going to bomb ISIS or boko haram, or you want us to enjoy our little peace even though we may not have enough money. Nana addo is disappointing all of us. America under Trump should not be anyone country friend, because the hatred he has courted for the USA is unprecedented. I hope nana addo could deal with the consequences in a likely event we are attacked.
That is why you are also selling us.. We will in Front of Allah .. Very heartless of you politician...
Is transparency enough? Couldn't you have given us something better? Why should NDC now be your standard? Please make better arguments
I keep wondering how Ghanaians ended up having this bunch of unintelligent clots as ministers. U have cancelled several contracts signed by the ndc why not this one?America gives Egypt 3billions every year as military aid and and u are rushing for mere 20million dollars? I can't believe this trash.
You see where bad constitutionality is taking us to. No countervailing authority under 1992 constitution. In the first place we are not in the Arab world or the Middle East to fight to defend Israel or the Arabs neither are the Persians, the Kurdish or the Turks closer for us to develop such a massive disheartening conflict. We are no where closer to Indochina, or Malaysian or have we sever thought of war among ourselves like the Korean would do. We shall not fall a part. The struggle between NDC and NPP is over. Let's rethink Ghana
This semi-illiterate will go down as the worst defence minister ever. Compare this guy to smith, kumbour, addo kuffour etc. Are these the men?