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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Give us free visas and see who will be left in this country called Ghana.people are sacrificing their life just to be in Europe and America, y because there is no job and money in Ghana.. I think selling the country will do us good, we are still in slavery in our own country, who think about u? ***barred word***. OYA HURRY AND SELL THE COUNTRY... jokers
How much did NDC sell Ghana to the Chinese GALAMSEYERS to destroy our land an water bodies? Nothing!Were they paying taxes on the GOLD? Saa mia! HEY! AMERICAN MILITARY BASES ARE MOST WELCOME!
why should Nana Addo sell Ghana for some millions ? I am NPP but this can cause us to opposition 2020
Akuffo Addow perhaps sees himself as a king in an arab country. The sam payne who is defending any american bases is a complete illiterate who does not know what is going on in the world at all. And as I head the defence minister speaking on a television station he actually sounds not fit for his kob and I want all patriotic Ghanaians to hace it in mind to give the Akuffo Addow Government a kick coming the next general elections.First, this administration is allowing all nigerian evils entry into Ghana and kill Ghanaians through armed robbery,second Akuffo Addow holds views that gay right is bound to happen and third contemplating behind closed doors to allow American Military bases big or small station in Ghanaian soils and so ***barred word*** about the destructive consequences such a move is going to inflict on Ghanaians?. Tell me which government could be worse than this ?
I am shocked at the people defending the Military base set up in Ghana. These are the unpatriotic people, traitors who will sell their country for peanuts just for their own stomachs. We pray against all your evil acts!!
What an argument!!! Is Syria not a UN member?? Now I know why students from Kumasi fail so much in their exams!! Nitiwul himself was a pupil teacher made Defence minister. The result is CRYSTAL CLEAR!!
GITMO two are already here, so what is the difference, every allied to United States has the potential of terrorist attack, infact the whole is at risk, the Kwasi Pratt speaks about US, he shouldn’t have visited the country at all, remember AFRICOT, which made ***barred word*** to use the word BULL
Pratt, where in the agreement was there the mention of setting up military base. WICKED man. Compare this agreement to the 1998 one and tell us the differences! FREE EDUCATION is important so that NO Ghanaian would be LIED to by people like Kwasi Pratt and NDC