General News of Friday, 23 March 2018

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Hasten slowly on US-GHANA military agreement - Okudjeto Ablakwa tells colleagues

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa,MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa,MP for North Tongu

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu in the Volta Region and Minority Spokesperson on Foreign and Affairs, Samuel Okudjeto-Ablakwa has called on the Majority to hasten slowly to ratify an agreement between the Government of the republic of Ghana and the Government of the United States of America in relation to defence coopoeration, the status of united states forces, and access to and use of agreed facilities and areas in the Republic of Ghana.

Addressing Journalists in Parliament on what now become topical issue in Ghana, The Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament argued that, the explanation by the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul to the effect that, the agreement has existed long ago was not correct.

Quoting from the memorandum submitted to Parliament for ratification……. “with the expiration of the said Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement and taking into consideration the present trends in peace and security, the two countries have to renew their commitments towards each other”.

Mr. Okudjeto-Abblakwa stated that, the NPP Government has opportunity not renew an agreement that has expired.

He said, the current agreement is new and government of the day must take full responsibility and tell Ghanaian the truth….he cited this paragraph to buttress his submission….

“A two day negotiation meeting involving a delegation from the USA and Ghana's representatives (made up of experts from the AG's Department, MoF, MOD, MOFARI) was held at the MOD on August 7-8, 2017 to ensure fair terms for both parties in the Draft Agreement.”