Reject US Military Deal – Obed Asamoah Tells Akufo-Addo

A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Obed Yao Asamoah has admonished President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be bold and rescind his decision on the US military deal.

According to him, the deal is a bad one and will not inure to the benefit of Ghana.

The Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has described reports that cabinet has given approval for the United States military to set up a base in Ghana as untrue and that the agreement is meant to be a “partnership in fighting terrorism to make us prepared, partnership in training our peace keepers, partnership in building the capacity of our soldiers.”

According to Nitiwul, over the next two years, “they (Americans) are going to spend over $20 million “providing training to Ghanaian soldiers in grants.

Per the agreement with the United States, the military is allowed unrestricted access to a host of facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions.

“All existing buildings, non-relocatable structures, and assemblies affixed to the land in agreed facilities and areas, including ones altered or improved by United States forces, remain the property of Ghana. Buildings constructed by United States forces shall become the property of Ghana, once constructed, but shall be used by United States forces until no longer needed by United States forces.

“United States forces shall return as the sole and unencumbered property of Ghana any agreed facility or area, or any portion thereof, including non-relocatable structures and assemblies constructed by United States forces, once no longer needed by United States forces. The Parties or their Executive Agents shall consult regarding the terms of return of any agreed facility or area, including possible compensation for improvements or construction.

“United States forces and United States contractors shall retain title to all equipment, materiel, supplies, relocatable structures, and other moveable property that have been imported into or acquired within the territory of Ghanaian connection with this Agreement,” Article 6 of the agreement reads.

Speaking in an interview on Morning Starr Wednesday, Dr. Asamoah stated that no government should be allowed to set up a military base in Ghana.

“We should not allow any government to have a military base in this country…I would tell Akufo-Addo to take a second look at this US agreement. It’s not advisable to sign it,” Dr. Asamoah told host Francis Abban.

Source: Starrfmonline