NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary, Sam Payne has taken a quick jab at the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. over the latter's claims that setting up a US Military base in Ghana could attract terrorism.
The Seasoned journalist, speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme on Tuesday, March 20, expressed disappointment in the Government of Ghana over their agreement with the United States of America.
The Defence Ministry has submitted to Parliament for approval a memorandum on the agreement for the US government to set up a Military base in the nation.
Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul believed the agreement will contribute to enhanced security cooperation between Ghana and the US but Kwesi Pratt expressed contrary views.
Mr. Pratt was extremely saddened and likened the agreement to a betrayal of Ghana's independence saying "no benefit is more important than the protection of our national sovereignty”.
“That sovereignty, that independence, should not be toyed with. It should not be thrown away for nothing. And in fact, with that sovereignty, even if you bring billion (billion) dollars; you cannot buy that sovereignty. It should not be able to buy that sovereignty", he said.
Subtly throwing shade at Mr. Pratt, Sam Payne likened the newspaper Editor's comments to a "child's play".
He wondered how any person could suggest the Military base could make Ghana a target for terrorism.
He explained that even without setting up the US Military base in Ghana, the country has already signed up to join other nations in the fight against terrorism so far as Ghana remains a member of the United Nations (UN).
" . . you talk about it that there will be terrorism when the base comes here. Then, they go to link it that President says he will help in the fight against terrorism. You make this become like a child’s play. Look, everyone who’s a member of the United Nations and who’s signed up under the anti-terrorism protocol; [he’s] that country is enjoined to fight terrorism”, he replied Mr. Pratt.
Kwesi Pratt also found some privileges in the agreement outrageous, saying "when these United States forces come to our country, they will not pay taxes for anything. We have exempted them from the payment of tax...There’s even something which is worse. The United States now, when they come to Ghana, they can use our radio spectrum without paying for it; for free. [Peace FM] we all remember what happened recently with Ghanaians who are using radio spectrum to set up their radio stations and television stations, and so forth. They told us because they cannot afford to pay, we’re closing them down. These are Ghanaians. For United States Armed Forces, when they come, they are given the spectrum free of charge . . .
“ . . when you sign international agreement, the privileges you give to your partners; they must give you the same privileges. Look at this agreement and see what is reciprocal in this agreement. There’s nothing reciprocal in this agreement. One-sided agreement, all benefits accrue to the United States of America. Nothing accrues to us . . . I’m extremely sad”, he stressed.
Sam Payne sought to school Mr. Pratt on the meaning of the radio spectrum given to the US Military base saying "we haven’t asked them to come and open a radio station or TV station and use it for free".
To him, sometimes some persons behave like they're wiser than other people and so become opinionated, in reference to Mr. Pratt and other critics of the government initiative under the auspices of the Defence Ministry.
"Sometimes, we shouldn’t let it look like we’re the only repository of wisdom when we’re discussing issues and so it’s only what they say that should be taken as truth”, he cautioned the critics.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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UNCLE SAM YOU ARE ON THE RADIO BLABLABLA, MOST GHANAIANS HAVE STAYED OUT OF THE COUNTRY LIKEWISE YOU , CALL SPADE THE SPADE AND DON'T BE HYPOCRITE WE ALL KNOW WHERE AMERICANS INTEREST IS THERE IS NO "PEACE' LOOK AT THE MIDDLE EAST, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE OIL THAT IS WHY WE ARE ENJOYING SUCH PEACEFUL LIVE. LOOK AT JUST HERE CHAD AND MANY MORE ECT. GHANAIANS ARE PEACE LOVING PEOPLE AND ONE SHOULD COME JEOPARDISE OUR PEACE FOR US. THE $20M A YEAR WILL KILL MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE A YEAR.
What else were you expecting bro. We will watch animals saaa. Thanks to online jobs sites like jobsforghana.com who has provided opportunity to find jobs but your government disappointed us.
Those who are backing this agreement do not even understand its implications. How will US bringing their military installations to Ghana create jobs for the country? Are we so desperate in job creation that we have failed to use our heads to analyze situations? Even countries with much more advanced economies and defense have kicked against such bases because the dire consequences far outweigh any perceived benefits. One glaring consequence is that Ghana will quickly move up the watch list of terrorists and will be considered a legitimate target. It baffles my mind why people can't see this. And for the records, in the event of a terrorist attack America only seeks to protect its citizens and interests. They may not even share intelligence with Ghana and we will be left to our fate.Need I remind us that we struggled recently against ordinary armed robbers with no specialized skills and now we want to add terrorists to that!. We will be completely overwhelmed and annihilated! Remember, the firewood that has ants is indirectly inviting lizards. We should for once avoid politics in this matter and look at what is best for the country. America WILL NEVER do anything good for you because the care about you;they only do it because of what they will gain,regardless of the consequences for you. Look at Libya today compared to Libya before the invasion!
This collaboration is good for Ghana. Let's stop criticizing it and also it cannot be changed because JDM initiated it. Jobs and privileges to be enjoyed by Gh are enormous so lets embrace. Kwasi Pratt is always doing NDC bidding for them only God knows how they will protect him when he faces SP over his Ghc2000 given to him by Woyome.
Some times I wonder to heard this from our position Leadership who are just enjoying political office's without functioning as leaders to affect the generations coming positively.One decision can affect 30yrs, where would Nana Addo and Mr Mahama will be .Simple theory when you go to village farmers before planting seeds,they create good environment before.. politicians always seeking for others Nations to create environment for their citizen's. Selling state properties to foreigners and promise to create news ones...non sense- parasites leaders no vision.
Ghana at age 61 is allowing itself to be recolonised under president Nana Addo ? Do we know what we are inviting unto ourselves as a country? The mind blowing thing to me is at the moment when our President and vice are talking about Ghana beyound aid,we are selling our sovereinghty for $20000 ? Politics of curruption and deceit
It is all for their selfish interest. This is not for the love ofGhana. UK Canada Italy Germany Japan Korea all have US bases and they are fine. This is good for Ghana so I hope NPP MPs will grow some spine and stand up to these NDC che--ats. Vote YES
US Military Base in Ghana is a good idea because it is going to create a lot of jobs in Ghana. At the restaurants, warehouse and many other service jobs. They usually pay well too. Let us stop the politicization of the issue and embrace it. We can a search on the benefits it will bring to Ghanaians.
Ghanaians .We talk so much and we do nothing.Do all these cretins talking about a military base actually know what it is?Americans are setting a military base in Ghana for 20 million dollars?Don't make me laugh.People come on this platform and display crass ignorance.What is being envisaged in this agreement is nothing remotely close to an American military base.This Pratt man has been blabbing about an American military base in Ghana for ages, Remember when George Walker ***barred word*** was here.The f001 asked a question about this and he was told that it was bull In other words bullsh1t.Pratt never learns. All those hypocrites spewing bull on this platform whiles planning to queue at the American embassy at 2 am tomorrow morning should bow their heads in shame.
No wonder this Sam payne guy has been confined to an abattoir. He makes no single sense ever.germany and Japan are crying every day for those bases to be moved out. Egypt gets 3billions every year as military aid from America but our shithole unintelligent government is rushing just mere 20million dollars. Tweeeaa.