Strategic Thinkers Network-Africa, STRANEK says government allowing US military Base in Ghana is a wanton disregard of the interest of Ghanaians
According to the think tank, the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Ghana and the USA when approved will go against Ghana's Non-aligned diplomatic stance which makes Ghana's partners uncomfortable.
The statement from the Policy Think tank is anchored on an agreement between Ghana and U.S government which suggests that Cabinet has approved a number of Ghanaian facilities an unrestricted access and tax exemptions to the United States Military.
The agreement will permit the U.S. Military to use Ghana as a base for staging and deploying forces. Despite the unrestricted access and tax exemptions, Ghana has also agreed to bear the cost and take primary responsibility for securing the U.S. facilities in Ghana.
In Statement signed by the Executive Director of STRANEK, Nii Tettey Tetteh said “the worse of it all is an amount of $20 million in the name of equipping our Ghana Armed Forces in exchange for so many requirements Ghana is to provide as one of the duties expected of Ghana per the agreement.
Ghana's sovereignty cannot be bought with such a meagre amount in an agreement which has no termination point or limit of stay but litany of benefits to the US.â€
The Policy Think Tank as a recommendation to calm nerves called on the government to consider the views of Ghanaians on the Defence Cooperation Agreement before any further decision is settled on.
In a related development, Pressure Group, Economic fighters league will march to parliament on Friday to demonstrate against the Defence Cooperation agreement between the US military and Ghana.
The leader of the group, Ernest Yeboah has said the group believes Ghanaians will end up selling their sovereignty once the agreement is signed. He opined that the agreement shows the disappointing nature of Ghanaian politicians in the face of security issues, and as such should not be approved by parliament.
“Today is a very sad day given that…our political leaders are on the brink of selling our sovereignty,†he said.
Meanwhile, Ghana's Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has denied reports that Parliament has approved the establishment of a military base in Ghana by the United States of America.