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“There was no specific exit agreement…there is nothing wrong; we have always known that. That is why within the two year period discussions ought to continue,” says Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The NDC MP claims the erstwhile Mahama administration decided to give a "refugee status" instead of a "permanent residence or a visa" because the refugee board can "revoke it" at any time.
He was speaking in an interview on Peace FM morning show ‘Kokrokoo’ to the issue of the current state of the two ex-Guantanamo detainees of Yemeni descent, Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby.
Status of GITMO 2
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, told parliament on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 that the two ex-Gitmo detainees have become Ghana’s responsibility because no exit plan was made by the Mahama-led administration.
According to her, the hands of the Government are tied now considering the bilateral agreement the Mahama-led Government entered into with the United States of America.
“For now, we are saying that our hands are tied because they have been granted a legal status for them to stay here. On our side, I am going ahead to explore options…“they will not be leaving Ghana and, that they are now the responsibility of the state”. It is to be noted that no exit arrangements were originally discussed between the two governments to end the bilateral arrangement at the time of negotiation. The US has also been clear in our discussions with them that per the agreement, returning them to the United States is not an option open to discussion or negotiation. This means that all obligations relating to the two have now become the responsibility of Ghana,” she said.
National Interest Was Our Motivation
When the North Tongu MP was quizzed by the host Kwami Sefa Kayi what motivated the then ruling NDC government to go in for such an agreement, he answered, “Our motivation was the national interest… it came with support for our national security in the fight against terrorism.”
He however, quickly added that "it is not appropriate" to put out further details.
“There was the understanding that within the two year period, there will be discussion between USA, Ghana and the two detainees to find out if they want to go back to their countries or remain in Ghana. If they decide to stay in the country, they can find employment if they are properly integrated and I don’t find anything wrong with that especially as government has confirmed that they have been of good behavior,” he said.
Integration into Ghanaian Society
Meanwhile, a portion of the agreement as read by Mr Ablakwa indicated that: “the government of Ghana and the United States are to regularly consult on matters regarding the status, activities...and integration process of Mr Ben Atef and Mr Al-Dhuby…”
"This statement means the Mahama-led administration as part of the agreement, accepted to ‘integrate’ the two detainees into the country?!" Sefa Kayi again prodded.
“Not necessarily," he replied. "It was not an outright integration,” he added. According o him, the then government only agreed to integrate them into the country for two years.
“…that was why it was stated that the government of Ghana and the United States were to regularly consult. There was always room for discussions to continue,” he added.
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
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One would think a person with a BIG head would be very sensible. A few days ago, this guy was making noise about the NPP govt in-action on the Gitmo 2. Now he eludes to something he had known all along, that had been kept from the public & the government. Is this not criminal? Or it is just I_D_I_O_T_I_C.
National interest for Aids & grants. Afterwards Trump is DESCRIBING everybody S word. Just ***barred word***. You allowed someone that my parents are well respected,honored been insulted because brains were filled with DDT in reasoning for Ghana interest?
these ndc pls nd their stu>p>id!ty. so they new all this yet they want the current govt to come out with the agreement. their stu>p1.dity has now become a national issue that we all need to be worry about. I could remember they said there was no benefit for accepting the guys but listening to what this moron just said. they are always lying. they are part of the reason we are being referred to as sh!th@les. bcos our countries are where they come to dump the things they dont like. I strongly believe ndc benefited from this agreement moneywise or something. Or may be there were being blackmialed by the US due to their numerous corrupt deals. what the case is the truth will surely come out. okudjeto has just started and i know another ed>1ot will also come out with more revelation.
THE OUTSTANDING HERITAGE OF MAHAMA GOVERNMENT: 1. GITMO 2, KEEPING AMERICA SAFE AT THE RISK OF GHANA. 2. STEALING OF PUBLIC CARS AFTER LOST OF ELECTIONS. 3. GALAMSAY - DESTRUCTION OF LAND AND WATER BODIES 4, FULANI MENACE DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND FARMS 5. DUBIOUS CONTRACTS AND APPOINTMENTS AFTER ELECTIONS 6. HEAVY INVESTMENT IN DUBAI AND OUTSIDE GHANA BY NDC 7. ABUSE OF STATE RESOURCES BY MAHAMA FAMILY MEMBERS 8. RAMPANT CORRUPTION IN CONTRACTS OF GOVERNMENT 9. ***barred word*** OF STATE COFFERS BY GOVERNMENT APPOINTEES DEAR OKUDJETO WHICH OF THE ABOVE OF MAHAMA COULD BE CONSIDERED "NATIONAL INTEREST". MAHAMA GOVERNMENT WAS INCOMPETENT AND CORRUPT BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, CONSIDERED TEAM "B" OR "C" BY YOUR OWN NDC, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWISTED MIND. YOUR ARE SO SELF PRESUMPTUOUS, DILIGENT TO DEFEND THE WRONG AND TALK FORCEFULLY TO DECEIVE OTHERS TO BELIEVE LIES. ABLAKWA YOU ALWAYS BEHAVE LIKE CHAMPION ATTA, THE ***barred word*** AND COWARD VILLAGE BOY WHO PRETEND TO BE A MACHO AMONG HIS TIMID VILLAGE PEERS. YES, YOU MAY HAVE SHARP TEETH, BUT IT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BITE ANYTHING.
Mp if the whole of Ghana was like were you are mp ,you could tell them they are living in heaven and they will believe you.How I wish this guy was mp of a place like legon or the cantonments area.
Guess people will understand why i describe him as a Dysfunctional person, after shouting for the government to come clear on them you come out with this... Ghana don suffer ooo. A Disdained and Offensive character... law Maker, Tweaaa
The American probably had a sh!tload of info regarding the Mahamas, and the Ndc! They were probably holding them by the ⚽️ ⚽️ and promised to help them during the election which they failed to do because they didn’t even like the man and his government!
Mahama was just too selfish of a leader. i have lost all my respect for him. and especially paying AFRICAMN WATCH to publish such gibberish about Ghana. God will punish him in opposition paaaaaa
The Mahama government officials were fooools because thev did not think twice