A member of the NPP Communications team Omarie Wadie has insisted that talks of Coup d’etat claims by some members of the NDC will not wash.
Parliament on Friday night, March 23, 2018, approved the controversial Ghana-US defence cooperation agreement which seeks to provide the United States access into the country to camp its military forces.
Some security experts and the general public have criticized the deal, warning that there will be a civil revolt and a movement due to the ratification of the agreement.
And on Monday, March 26, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, during an exclusive interview with Kwame Afrifa Mensah on Happy FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ Show predicted that, President Nana Akufo-Addo, will be overthrown just like his father and the late Kofi Abrefa (K.A) Busia.
However, in a sharp reaction to Anyidoho’s claim on the same platform, Omari Wadie warned the NDC to put an end to spreading fear and panic amongst the Ghanaian populace with such talks.
“They should stop scaring Nana Addo and Ghanaians with Coup d’état talks because of the US military deal,” he stated on Happy FM.
“Akufu Addo is a no nonsense man, if you try he will crash you. I don’t know what the NDC and Co are planning because some of them say, Monday this and Wednesday that. They have to be very careful, we will not tolerate that.”
“Why are they scaring the president with Coup d’état claims? The contract was signed in 1998 and repeated in 2015, Alex Segbefia signed a similar contract which was unfortunate so those saying they are allegedly trying to bring Coup d’état must be careful,” he warned.
Background
Ghana, per the agreement with the US, is to bear the cost and take primary responsibility for securing their facilities while the troops are in the country.
The US troops are also to be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum for free. They will also enjoy tax exemptions.
The agreement will permit the U.S. Military to use Ghana as a base for staging and deploying forces.
Despite the unrestricted access and tax exemptions, Ghana has also agreed to bear the cost and take primary responsibility for securing the U.S. facilities in Ghana.
According to the agreement Ghana will provide unimpeded access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to the U.S. forces and Contractors.
It also allows U.S. forces and their Contractors to undertake construction activities on and make alterations and improvements to agreed facilities and areas.
The U.S. forces are also authorised to control entry to the facilities meant for the exclusive use of their forces.
Ghana has also agreed 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.”
The U.S. Forces may also import into and export out of, and use in Ghana any personal property equipment supplies material technology, training or services in connection with the agreement.
But most importantly such importation, exportation and use shall be exempt from any inspection, license other restrictions customs duties taxes or any other charges assess within Ghana.
The agreement also states that “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.”
By: Eugene Baah
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