The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Andrew Barnes has urged Ghanaians to be open-minded about the infamous Ghana-US military deal generating numerous controversies and verbal tussles in the country.
The deal, which was allegedly leaked by the Minority in Parliament, has put government in a bad light among majority of Ghanaians, who argue that it was not in the country’s best interest.
The opposition NDC, together with some civil society organization in a bid to get the Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul and government to retract its decision, had staged a demonstration.
President, Nana Akufo-Addo has subsequently lambasted the opposition describing their stance on the issue as “a kind of cynical manipulation by reckless self-seekers", who will be exposed and condemned soon.
The president further argued that since Ghana has built a formidable reputation for its contribution to peace-keeping around the world, which would not have been possible without the immense contribution of the United States of America, it was only right for it to continue with the existing co-operation agreement between the two countries.
“Since independence, Ghana has had very fruitful relations with a range of foreign embassies and major international institutions. These include the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, amongst others. All these agencies enjoy similar conditions as those which the Co-operation Agreement offers to the US military here. No one has dared suggest that granting these foreign embassies and international institutions these concessions constitute an attack on the sovereignty of Ghana. Nor has anyone also felt that the concessions have in any way worked against the interests of Ghana. Indeed, I have no doubt that it would be the general consensus of all well-informed Ghanaians that this nation has benefitted significantly from the presence and activities of these institutions over the past decades.”
But whilst the opposition NDC and some Ghanaians seem unfazed by the president’s address, the Australian High Commissioner believes Ghana stands to benefit from the collaboration.
According to Mr. Barnes, most countries are in similar agreements with other nations.
“International co-operation is very important. So is military co-operation, I will, therefore, encourage people to be open-minded, to appreciate and understand the benefit to both countries and in fact all countries for having close co-operation in this sort of matters,” he said.
It must be worth noting that under this military deal, the US is exempted from paying tax on equipment imported into the country and further permitted the setting up of a telecommunication system on Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.
Ghana is also required to give the US army unfettered access to some facilities close to the Kotoka International Airport while Ghana is expected to receive some $20 million.
Source: Ghanaweb.com
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LISTEN TO THE WISE WORDS FROM THE COMMISSIONER AND STOP THAT YOUR NDC ATITTUDE.WHY IS IT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY F00U1S IN THE NDC THAN THE WISE?
From the comments then we should also reject their support of our budget. Wunni daama nso.also provide alternatives. It is not enof to criticise.
WE DO NOT NEED ANY AUTRIALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONERS ADVICE.AFTER ALL WHICH WHITEMAN WILL DO ANYTHING FOR THE EMANCIPATION OF THE BLACKMAN? AGAIN AUSTRALIA BEING THE 6TH RACIST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD,THANK YOU VERY MUCH WE WILL SOLVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS.
Look at that one too (Australian HC). I don't blame you one bit.
@ The truth and co. Who told you that Ghanaians are open minded? In Ghana, the socialists have hijacked civil society so we do not have an objective civil society. With the perpetual negative stance of the NDC and a socialist infested civil society how can the country be open minded? After the collapse of Socialism some of us thought civil society in the country would become objective, how wrong were those who thought that way. If the likes of Kwesi Pratt, Asiedu Nketia and Koku Anyidoho who know next to nothing are "opinion leaders" how can we be open minded? My main problem is how you people read oil into everything Western. If oil were the reason for the military agreement why didn't they go to Nigeria where they produce around 2 million barrels a day but rather come to Ghana where only some 3 hundred barrels are produced? This argument does not make sensse. Please let's learn to be open minded in the real sense.
***barred word***, your country just deported Ghanaians for not having proper documentation and here you are encouraging Ghanaians to accept a deal that allows unfettered access to the USA military. These whites are fuuuulls. This is why I agree with Trump saying we are ***barred word*** holes, he was basically referring to our leaders. Will America sign a deal with Ghana allowing unfettered access to their country military. Of course not! When the President had the opportunity to calm nerve he came to insult Ghanaians opposing the deal as if all Ghanaians against the deal are NDC members. That is even the most insulting part of the speech. Does he think those of us who do not support NDC or NPP are also unpatriotic. It's unbelievable for a president to tell USA that those against the deal are anti USA. The same president was against USA bringing gitmo two to Ghana. Does it mean that he was also anti American. Politicians are very funny people. He doesn't even understand the implication of his statement on innocent Ghanaians in the USA. His reckless statement can court hatred for Ghanaians in the USA.
What does this Australian Highcommisioner mean?. He must care about himself and his country. He is not authourised to speak for Ghanaians. He is there to represent his country and not to make politics for Ghana. I do not think he is ever prepared to accept any advice from Ghana in concern of his country. Ghana is not a foolisch country and hope the Govt. is not and will never be. Ghana is alone responsible for the welfare of the country.Do not accept USA military Base.......
Educate yourself before commenting on an issue, the $20m is the cost of the equipment to be used and no physical money handed over to Ghana. Ghana has similar agreements with countries such as Canada and Togo. The American solders have been in the country without any problem so why the hue and cry. what about other benefits Ghana has been enjoying under other cooperation agreement with the US.Hypocrites
This guy has no moral right to say what he's saying. Ghanaians are more open minded than you. We've seen your kind and cunning ways of having access to oil producing countries in Africa and elsewhere. Akuffo Addo should return your money to you and we'll all have our peace of mind ....