Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul[/caption] An American military base has not less than 4,000 soldiers and maximum of about 20,000 soldiers, which Ghana does not have the land to enable it accommodate them, Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has explained. The minister has therefore rejected reports in the media, based on leaked documents, that government is seeking parliamentary approval for a US military base to be established in the country. According to him, the media report is misleading and has therefore asked the public to disregard the information about the military base. The American Embassy in Ghana has also denied the claims. The minister said the agreement which is currently before Parliament is to renew existing joint military exercises. The partnership will for instance prepare Ghana to fight acts of terrorism, train Ghanaian peacekeepers vis-à-vis build the capacity of US soldiers, he indicated. Dominic Nitiwul disclosed that the Americans want facilities around Ghana’s international airport to keep their equipment and all the things they may need during the period of their stay in the country. “We have agreed together with them to give them a facility and give them diplomatic immunity,” the minister added. He revealed that this agreement was first signed on 24th February 1998 and renewed in 2007. “It is not a new agreement, but I have decided that as long as it is a foreign agreement, it must come to Parliament. We could have signed it under cover like Gtmo two; we could have done it under cover as what happened in 1998 and 2007.” Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has referred the agreement to the Defence Committee and the Committee of Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report. But the Minority in Parliament wants the agreement withdrawn. Read: Military deal with USA makes mockery of Ghana beyond aid; withdraw it – Minority By Onua News |Owoahene Omari Acheampong |3news.com]]>
