President’s Address On Ghana-US Military Deal Highly Disappointing - GIGS

The Ghana Institute of Governance and Security (GIGS) wishes to express its disappointment in the national address delivered by President Nana Akufo Addo on Thursday evening, regarding the Ghana-US Military Agreement which continues to appall many Ghanaians.

In view of the intense protest against the deal, Ghanaians expected President Akufo Addo to show leadership by taking the opportunity to explain the factors that influenced the government’s decision for the deal.

However, the President’s failed to provide details, and rather used the opportunity launch an attack on the opponents of the military agreement, and the opposition parties.

The President’s speech can best be described as hollow and politicised , and not different from the comments of his party’s social commentators.

As a governance and security think tank, GIGS expected much more from the President. We expected him to show leadership and to diffuse the tension that has characterised the agreement, but he failed.

We acknowledge his assurance to protect the sovereignty of the nation, but the military deal clearly negates that assurance.

GIGS is also surprised the President wants an applause for making the agreement “public,” citing an earlier 2015 agreement by the past government which was not made public.

In the first place, the President should not forget the fact that the agreement was leaked to the media. And the fact that there was an earlier deal is not the question Ghanaians want answered.

Ghanaians voted for change, and so the government cannot justify its questionable actions by equalising it to actions of the past government.

Ghanaians are disgusted about the agreement which clearly does not offer any benefit to Ghana, and would continue to demand explanations as to why the government has sold out their sovereignty on a silver platter.

Judging from the pronouncements of the President, GIGS is tempted to believe that the government is highly frustrated about the protest against the Ghana-US Military agreement.

GIGS wishes to remind the President that Ghanaians are alive to their responsibility as citizens and not spectators, and expects their leaders to act their words.

In view of the President’s failure to offer any explanation on the agreement, GIGS serves notice to petition the Chief Justice of Ghana against the Ghana-US Military Agreement.

Thank you
Signed
David Agbee
Executive Director, GIGS
6/4/2018