Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul is denying claims that Cabinet has, pending ratification by parliament, approved an agreement for the United States of America to set up a military base in Ghana.
A report by Joy FM Tuesday says the agreement, expected to be tabled before Parliament sometime this week, grants the US Military unfettered access to “a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions.”
However, Nitiwul says “that is not true” and that what is being construed as a military base is only a “defence cooporation agreement” between the two countries to train Ghanaian soldiers.
The Defence Minister said Ghana and the USA have been involved in joint exercises over the years and what they seek to do now, including the use of two buildings in the Kotoka International Airport area, is no different.
Stressing among other disclaimers that what is being discussed cannot amount to a military base, he said “This agreement is not the first time” and that similar ones were agreed between the countries in 1997 and 2007. And it is going to Parliament because any foreign agreement must go to Parliament, besides requests for tax waivers can only be granted by Parliament.
“I have no authority to grant tax waivers,” he said, explaining that the partnership is strategic as it seeks to strengthen Ghanaian forces and defences particularly in this era of terrorism and terror attacks.
The report by Joy FM said the agreement, if ratified, grants the US Military unfettered “access to a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions.”
According to the report, Cabinet has also agreed to bear the cost and take primary responsibility for securing U.S. facilities in Ghana despite the unrestricted access and tax exemptions.
The media house said documents on the agreement in its possession showed that negotiations with the U.S. had been ongoing at least for the past eight months, however, Cabinet approved the deal on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
According to the Joy FM account, Dominic Nitiwul is pushing for Parliament to ratify it because he says it has enormous benefits for Ghana.
In 2008, rumours of a move to establish a military base in Ghana by the US, under then President George W. Bush Jnr,. met with wild protestations. Not much was heard or seen of it again, eventually denied by then President John Agyekum Kufuor and Bush himself.
Source: Daily Graphic
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OH GHANA BLACK MAN NANA ADDO !!!!!WHY CAN YOU NOT THINK -KWARRAAA !!!; THE US PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS GHANA 'SHITHOLE "because you are all thiffs and doshonest politicians ruining Ghana today !!!! but then requires a base in Ghana ; then this unthinkable 'BISA GOMA" short man with no brains Nana Addo accepts a mere $20 million for a base facility in Ghana; WHY DO YOU DO THIS GHANA ; 'BEWARE OF THE US WITH THEIR GIFTS IN TROJAN HORSES'; WHY CANNOT WE BLACKS THINK FOR OURSELVES AND THINK FAR INTO THE FUTURE ; WHAt IF CHINA WANTS TO ALSO BUILD A BASE IN GHANA ; CHINA WILL NOT REQUEST FOR BASE : THEY WANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LEAVE : THE US WANT TO TAKE OVER GHANA AND NANA ADDDO AND NPP AGREES TO THIS : OUR FOREFATHERS WILL BE TURNING IN THEIR GRAVES ABND CURSE NANA ADDO AND NPP !!!!.
Typical shithole country minister only interested in USA granting visa to his family to travel. not surprised because this guy from particular group/tribe when given exposure always think they know more than anybody in the country. an example is the paper vice president.its good npp has two vice presidents- actual vice president doing the work of vice president policy planning,managing economy and vice president on paper doing the work of propanda secretary.
The Defence Minister is bent on seller Ghana to the devil, Kenya knows no peace because of Her American allies. On many occasions Kenya have been bombed because the enemies of America considers any country that have strong ties with American as their enemy. This American president is creating a lot of enemies for America through wicked governance, deportation of foreign nationals including Ghanaians, He said American interest is paramount, so what is the big deal? Nana Addo should not hand our protection to America who fear Russia like "kakaai" They can even protect themselves that's WHY September 11 happened.
The presence of U.S. troops boosts economic growth in host countries. Think about it this way. The US personnel will be paid salaries when in Ghana. Guess where they will spend most of their money? Ghana. That will contribute to our economy and GDP. They are paid in dollars meaning more dollars in the system to support our exchange rate. Also, a US base will create a whole new industry and bring more employment. Ghana banks will benefit, Ghanaian companies will provide support services like water deliveries, maintenance, clearing and more. Ghana Military, Air Forces, Navy will benefit a great deal from equipment and technology. Note that there are 800 named US bases around the world and most if not all do very well. Canada, Germany(34 bases), Italy(3) UK, Japan(7bases) etc all have US bases. Yes, there are always pros can cons here but I believe the pros outweighs the cons in this case.
we have to be very careful with this people because of our oil oooo, look at what cosmos did to us. They are proactive thinkers and so our leaders should bring their clothes together both NDC and NPP. Where is the clergy? These people are coming for our oil. Do not listen to them. Do not listen to their rep in Ghana. This is the reason why i love the former British High Commissioner. The USA ambassador has already started promoting that evil thing. Be wise Ghanaians.
No Way for USA in Ghana. No way for evil forces. All the woes in the world are caused by the USA. China is a million times better than USA. The world will soon get to know them. When China is in partnership with a country, it is business. USA is about war.
I'm saddened... For once can't our leaders see through the lenses. Ghana technically is at the center of the world. Once they get access to the base in Ghana, for sure that's our end as a sovereign state... NPP government for God sake don't trade our precious country for a few dollars...
we Ghanaians are already colonized go to the American embassy and see for yourself how Ghanaians are queuing for visas. 2 were we not here when the Gitmo2 were brought to Ghana Nicodemusly? we have already signed a military base here. 3 is it not the same Kwesi Pratt who claimed during Prez. Kufour's time that Prez Kufour and the then American Prez. ***barred word*** were planning to build an American military base in Ghana? and what did he get for an answer from Prez. ***barred word*** Baloney, do guys remember? so why should we believe this liar of a journalist again. I rest my case for now
VERY STUUPPIDDDD GHANAIAN THEY DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT A MILITARY BASE IS.FOR YOUR INFORMATION THE AMERICANS ALREADY ARE USING YOUR COUNTRY AS A MILITARY BASE.THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IS IN IT SELF A BASE IF YOU DONT KNOW.AIRCRAFT CARRIERS CAN BE STATIONED A BE USED AS A BASE
GHANA BEYOND AID INDEED,DOES OUR PRESIDENT UNDERSTAND ALL THAT HE SAYS OR THEY WRITE FOR HIM TO COME AND SLANG IT TO US??!!HOW DO U DRIVE OUT AMERICA ARMY AFTER U ALLOW THEM IN??GOD SAVE GHANA!!