The United States is undoubtedly the richest and most powerful nation in the world and they are natural bullies that if you don’t stand up to them, they would take you for everything you have.
Reports by Joy News indicates that cabinet has approved an agreement between the governments of Ghana and the U.S for the latter to set up a military base on our shores.
A copy of the agreement, intercepted by the Multimedia Group entity, lays out some of the terms of the deal which seem absurd and one sided to us with all the benefits accruing to the United States of America and very little accruing to Ghana.
According to JoyNews, the document gives the U.S military tax exemptions for almost all activities they take, unrestricted access to their bases without any input from local authorities and even the ability to issue driving licences to military and civilian personnel which shall be unchallenged by local authorities.
Portions of the agreement state that Ghana agrees to “furnish without rental or similar costs to the United States all agreed facilities and areas including those jointly used by the United States Forces and Ghana.”
It adds that “United States Contractors shall not be liable to pay tax or similar charge assess within Ghana in connection with this agreement. Aircraft, vehicles and vessels operated by or at the time, exclusively for the United States Forces may enter exit and move freely within the territory and territorial waters of Ghana.”
According to the Defense Minister, the benefits Ghana would get out of this agreement is “the facilitation of training, including maintaining unit readiness, continued exercises and other military opportunities for the Ghana Armed Forces.”
The deal would now go before Parliament for ratification.