NDC denies signing controversial military agreement
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has debunked the assertion by Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul that the controversial military deal was signed under the erstwhile Mahama administration by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh.
Mr. Nitiwul has received massive backlash from the public after a memo written by his ministry on a possible corporation between government and the US military was leaked to the media.
The agreement which will exempt the US from paying tax on equipment imported into the country, also permits the military to set up a telecommunication system on Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.
It also gives the US military unfettered access to some facilities close to the Kotoka International Airport.
Addressing the media yesterday, the Defense Minister alleged that, the then government also saw the controversial agreement passed, binding Ghanaians and government to the deal.
He also described the recent agreement as a renewal of the same contract.
But rebutting these claims, General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia maintains the assertion by the minister was a desperate attempt to deceive Ghanaians and trade away the country’s sovereignty.
He also accused the President, Nana Akufo-Addo of jeopardizing the welfare of the people, in exchange for aid and favor.
“Honorable Nitiwul who is pushing for this agreement can be cited for treason for attempting to subvert the sovereignty of Ghana.
However, we cannot blame him because he is acting on the orders of President Nana Akufo-Addo who appears to have been swayed by an award given to him during his recent visit to the state by a US lobby firm. We strongly believe the award was orchestrated to soften the sitting president to ratify the agreement.
We also strongly believe that recent comment by the US ambassador describing President Nana Addo as more visionary than previous Ghanaian leaders was part of a carefully orchestrated and well planned strategy to sweet-talk him into accepting this deal.”
The NDC also assured Ghanaians of a retraction of the deal should the party be voted back into power in 2020.
According to Mr. Asiedu Nketia the current protocol being enjoyed by the United State in Ghana was enough and thus granting them additional privileges was unnecessary.
“If President Akufo-Addo and his NPP administration proceed to ratify this agreement despite all protests and public sentiments, the NDC administration which will assume power in 2021 will suspend the agreement and initiate a more reaching review of this provision” he added.
Source: Ghanaweb
