Ghana’s president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will for the first time today address Ghanaians on the controversial Ghana-US defence agreement that has widely been criticised.
An artwork posted on Facebook Thursday morning to announce the president’s intention to comment on the matter tonight at 8:00pm did not give details on what he will be saying.
READ: Gov’t clears US to establish military base in Ghana
Some people, including Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, criticized the president for his continuous silence when the matter broke three weeks ago. It is unclear what has necessitated the decision by Nana Akufo-Addo to speak on the matter at a time that the controversy surrounding the agreement appears to have died off.
News of the agreement, which was classified as confidential, emerged on March 20 few hours before it was laid before parliament by the Akufo-Addo-led government for ratification.
READ: Parliament ratifies military agreement with US without Minority
Content of the agreement was widely criticised by many Ghanaians including security experts some of who argued at the time that the ratification of the document would grant the US clearance to establish a military base in Ghana and at the same time cede part of the country’s sovereignty to the world superpower.
Per the agreement US military personnel, defence contractors and agents among other executive officials have unrestricted access to agreed Ghanaian facilities for military and humanitarian purposes, a situation many fear will compromise the sovereignty of the country.
Even though the Defence Ministry and the US Embassy in Ghana have explained the agreement will inure to the mutual benefits of the two countries, there is still some public outcry including a nationwide demonstration led by Ghana First Patriotic Front.
While some people have sued Ghana over the agreement, efforts are also being made by the National Democratic Congress and other interest groups in the country to overturn the ratification of the agreement.
READ: Ghana sued over controversial ‘military base’ agreement with US
The president’s address on the agreement, which will be televised live on major news television stations in the country, is expected to settle the dust on the matter.
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