General News of Monday, 27 February 2006

Source: --

Presidency denies allegations over US military base

Presidential spokesperson, Kwabena Agyapong has denied allegations that the are plans by the United States and the Ghana government to establish a US military base in the country.

Some newspaper reports have alleged that the relative peace in the country, in the West African sub region, makes it a suitable location to set up a military base.

But Mr Agyapong told the Media at a briefing today that no such agreement has been signed.

?As far as I know Ghana has not signed any agreement of that nature. If and when the government decides to do anything like that, we will be the first to announced to the people to Ghana and we will establish the rationale behind why we think we should do that. No such agreement is in place,? he said.

Mr Agyapong?s denial follows a warning by the coordinator of the Third World Network, Dr Yao Graham that Ghana should not be part of the US military strategy in Africa.

Dr Graham believes that the US interest in the West African sub-region is motivated by the potential oil resources.

He said such arrangements could compromise the country?s sovereignty.