President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to break his silence on the controversial Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement that has left the nation deeply divided.
Information indicates the president will hold a live TV and radio broadcast on the controversial matter later this week. The president’s decision to speak to the matter was taken last week.
It is not clear yet what the president will say, even though critics, including the Minority, have called on the government to abrogate the agreement. The defence agreement was ratified by Parliament two weeks ago. The Minority side of the House staged a walk-out.
The agreement is to reaffirm “the strong defense relationship between the parties based on a shared commitment to peace and stability and common approaches to addressing regional defense and security issues."
It is also to “reaffirm the recent dialogue between the Presidents of the United States and Ghana on the importance of the bilateral defense relationship; and also “considering that, by arrangement between the United States and Ghana, United States forces may be present in Ghana in pursuit of common defense efforts, as well as to provide support to the security of United States Government personnel and facilities in the region.” But the Minority is not impressed with the agreement. Some members of the Minority say the agreement will lead to the setting up of a US military base in Ghana, and subsequently lead to the selling of Ghana’s sovereignty.
Article 5 of that agreement gives the US military “unimpeded access” to facilities agreed on by the two countries.
This and some aspects of the agreement have become the subject of controversy with the Minority kicking against the agreement.
But the Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul insists the details in the 2018 agreement are not entirely different from what was contained in the 1998 and 2015 agreements the then NDC government signed with the US.
A leaked document suggested the then president John Mahama gave approval for Ghana to be used as base for a US military operation that will protect “US citizens and facilities in the sub-region.”
That decision was taken in a meeting at the Flagstaff House on 4 September 2014.
Since the 2018 agreement was ratified, there has been a demonstration by a coalition of political parties as well as a section of Ghanaians who are not happy with the agreement.
The president is yet to speak on the matter. Sources close to the seat of government say the president will do that later this week and will hope to put the matter to rest.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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The issue is not about npp&ndc, the issued is not about who signed first and who signed last, its more bigger than that, if the previous administrations were incompetent enough to have signed agreement which does not favor the national, the current administration have the responsibility to do what is right, by renegotiating and get a better deal. Because the previous administration have signed an agreement, you must also blindly fellow same? this where you have to proof to Ghanaian's that you are not incompetent, its shameful you are also following the same incompetency. We need a better deal or no deal. The Present must come out and explain.. Majority are not happy, do not thick the majority are all NDC..
I quote "A leaked document suggested the then president John Mahama gave approval for Ghana to be used as base for a US military operation that will protect “US citizens and facilities in the sub-region.” My point is "are we protected as a Nation"? The US are only interested in protecting their citizenship in Ghana. I think this agreement should abrogated for the sack of peace in Ghana. don't need US soldiers in Ghana.
Why is the npp leadership so weak and cowardly? Now dancing to the tune of the ndc lo.ot:ing brigade?These guys who should be languishing in jail for their massive corruption and thie:ve.ry are now running the show. Most Ghanaians voted for nana addo just to deal with these NDC thi.e:ves but what we see is weakness and no action. Most ghs are disappointed not because of anything but the ndc cr:o.oks left to continue to pull the country down.Gha are beginning to believe it's a case of scratch my back, I scratch yours.If nana addo responds to NDC n talk about this agreement, count me n my household ex npp.
Do not stoop so low to NDC level. Please don't. You don't have to explain every policy decision to us. You were voted to make decisions on our behalf.
S H A ME on you Multimedia!! Why do you elect yourself as NDC mouthpiece? Ablakwa is such a li-ar who lies through his 'sharp' teeth. JoyFM deceitfully repeated their Jan 2017 interview with Koku A last Thursday to make it appear as though Koku was a calm gentleman. Why they did that was deceitful. NPP 'shine your eyes' because Multimedia is now playing the NDC card. NDC has always been hypocritical and cannot be trusted. Wasn't it JJR and JDM who signed the Ghana-US agreement in 1998 and 2015 respectively? Mind you, NADAA will successfully complete is 2 terms, Insha Allah.
dont come and disgrace yaself pls nana. this needs no further explanation, you may end up confusing people. though some of us arent happy of the deal, is better the presidency stays excellence than coming out. dont let the small boys push you. after submitting to parliament, what is ya duty again. let the MP"S explain so as like a chief, you get bad lingist than worse chief, word of advise ooh hmmmm