Pressure Group, Coalition for Democratic Governance (CDG) is cautioning government that the signing of the much talked about military agreement with US will put the future generations of the country in danger. Pressure Group, Coalition for Democratic Governance (CDG) is cautioning government that the signing of the much talked about military agreement with US will put the future generations of the country in danger.
The coalition believes that the deal is one-sided with the US benefitting most from the details of the agreement in its current state.
CDG warns that Ghana’s stance as a non-aligned country is in jeopardy should the country permit the US to have its base here spelling doom for the unborn generation.
“It is important to note, that Ghana, is not for the President and not for the 29.6 million people living in it only. It is also for the unborn generations. We have the duty and obligation to hand it over as Non Aligned to the next generation. Any attempt to mortgage or sell our sovereignty to the US makes our children captives” the coalition argues
CDG maintains that it is improper to allow the US military come into the country with their ammunition unchecked as some are dangerous to the environment and has the potential of harming millions of lives even after its usage.
In a press statement issued and signed by the convener Dr E. K. Hayford, the coalition stressed “the environmental radioactive, as well as chemical remains of the army, will be an unavoidable left over that can cost thousands of lives many years after it has all ended.”
The cited the situation several countries find themselves after entering into similar agreements with the US as basis to back their claim urging government to learn from those experiences.
Read details of the release below:
PRESS RELEASE
NAKED GHANA NOW TRULY A SHITHOLE
Mortgaging Ghana for $20,000 is now a reality.
Basic principles
There are basic principles that guide us in developing sound and non-partisan arguments when faced with controversial National issues. One is the principle of drawing inspirations from the toils, struggles and blood of our ancestors, who led us into what we now call Ghana, our motherland. This brings to mind our moral obligation to preserve and defend Ghana against all forms of direct and indirect oppression and aggression and to preserve it for the unborn generation. On the other hand, America professes to have permanent interest but no permanent friends. They make friends, achieve their aim and interest, and subsequently dump them somewhere in absurdity. Liberia is a typical example.
Military agreement
With these basic principles in mind, let us look at the Ghana-US military agreement. According to the agreement,
1. Ghana is to grant unimpeded access to the US to deploy troops and military equipment into Ghana, The agreement does not include a base, but does not also preclude bases at a future date.
2. The agreement requires Ghana to provide unimpeded access to agreed facilities and areas to US forces, their contractors and other related services.
3. Facilities provided shall be either exclusive to US troops or to be jointly used with their Ghanaian Counterparts.
4. Access to and use of a runway that meets the conditions of US forced shall be provided
5. The Americans will use unimpeded, the radio spectrum of Ghana for free and will be exempted from paying taxes on equipment imported into Ghana.
6. Tax authorities, harbour and airport officials shall have no control over the US forces and their equipment. The Army will drive their equipment on our streets without license and our judiciary and the laws of our country shall not apply to them.
7. Ghana receives $20,000 for its military, even though this is not explicit.
Comments from stakeholders
According to military commentators and Ghanaian military analysts, the agreement gives the US army uncontrolled access to occupy and enter our towns and cities, to be able to kill and kick against our sovere
