Ghana would not help Ivorian govt to flush out rebels

Ghana is not acquiring military hardware to help La Cote D'ivoire's government overcome rebels who control half of the country, Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, Foreign Minister said on Tuesday.

He said the 55 million-dollar worth of the military equipment would only help the country upgrade her arsenal to conform to United Nation's peacekeeping standards. Ghana has consistently contributed troops and logistics to the World Body peacekeeping operations since 1960.

The Minister was reacting to concerns during a debate for the adoption of a report on a loan agreement for 55 million dollars for the purchase of equipment and other logistical requirements of the Ghana Armed Forces' UN peacekeeping operations.

The loan agreement is between Ghana and Barclays Bank Ghana Limited and Barclays Bank PLC. He said Ghana would lose her enviable position in the global peacekeeping community if it did not upgrade her arsenal.

"The UN has consistently complained about the poor conditions of the equipment our men use during such operations." Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor,Minister of Defence, said the UN has passed a resolution making it mandatory for it to reimburse countries who use their equipment for the body's peacekeeping assignments.

Major Samuel Amponsah (retired),NDC-Mpohor Wassa East, said soldiers get much exposure during such operations adding, they appreciate peace and democracy when they witness fragile situations brought about as a result of oppression.

"When they go out, they get a few dollars but when they are always here some them create political problems for us." He said:" In the 1960s, when we went to Congo, all that we needed were provided. I think this loan would help our soldiers a lot because this is quite different."

Mr Eugene Atta Agyepong, Chairman, Joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior, said the loan, which is supposed to be paid within three years would procure equipment for peacekeeping operations in Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and South Lebanon.

He said Ghana Armed Forces' average expected reimbursement from the UN, when the equipment is acquired is about 60 million dollars per annum. The estimated expenditure is about 30 million dollars leaving a balance of 30 million dollars.

He said under the agreement, Ghana is expected to pay 20 million dollars annually. "Monies accruing from the reimbursement system would be lodged in designated escrow account in the United States. It is therefore, from this account that the Ghana government is expected to liquidate the loan facility within the period of three years."

The Chairman said even though the UN would pay for the use of the equipment to be bought by the loan, it would still remain the bonafide property of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr Agyapong said the Ghana Armed Forces is expected to purchase the equipment from a primary source and not through a third party. "The loan agreement requires that the government of Ghana give guarantee to Barclays Bank to enable them secure their money so that in the unlikely event of the UN's refusal or failure to include Ghana Armed Forces in their operations, the government would bear the cost of the loan.

In a subsequent resolution, 133 members voted for loan, no one opposed but Mr Doe Adjaho,NDC-Avenor and Mrs Edith Hazel,NDC-Evalue Dwira abstained.