President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will speak to the controversial military cooperation pact the government has agreed with the US government today, Thursday, April 5.
Information Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid on Accra-based Asempa FM Wednesday, dropped the hint of the President’s readiness to break his silence on the issue which last week drove thousands onto the streets in protest.
The agreement also gives the US military Ghana’s runways and communications, and in return, the US will invest $20 million in the Ghanaian Army and Police as well as hold joint exercises together.
The ratification of the agreement has sharply divided the nation, resulting in a protest on Wednesday organised by the Ghana First Patriotic Movement, with people chanting Ghana is “not for sale.”
Demonstrators held placards that read “Shithole government,” “Trump take your military base away.” “Ghana not for sale,” and “Ghana is better than $20 million.”
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Civil society groups and opposition politicians have skewered the deal as one-sided and questioned what is in for Ghana.
Government spokespersons say the agreement is not different from the ones signed in 1998 and in 2015.
Shortly after the protest, both the government and the US Embassy in Accra issued separate statements to explain that the US does not intend to establish a base in Accra.
The US Embassy said Washington had “not requested, nor does it plan to establish a military base or bases in Ghana.”
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It added: “This year, the United States of America is investing over $20m in training and equipment for the Ghanaian armed forces.”
