US Military ‘base’ in Ghana ground for terrorists attacks - Expert warns

A security analyst with JatiKay Center for Human Security and Peace Building Adib Saani has said the purported agreement on the establishment of a United States Military base in Ghana could make Ghana susceptible to terrorists attacks, based on the center’s analysis of the trends of attacks in the West African subregion.

In a statement copied to MYNEWSGH.com, Mr Adib Saani, while acknowledging the clarification by the Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, that the agreement is not for a Military base but a ‘Defense Cooperation Agreement’, Mr Adib Saani nevertheless underscored the ‘danger’ any US Military installation of whatever form in Ghana poses.

He said terrorists have increased their attacks on countries they believe are ‘collaborating’ with the United States in the fight against terrorism, and the stability of Ghana in a volatile West Africa where there have been attacks in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso- in fact, two attacks in Ouagadougou- leaves Ghana at risk.

“Leaders of Terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar Deen, Ansar Sharia have in recent years called on their followers to stage attacks against western targets and their “collaborators” in sub-Sahara Africa.” The statement said.

He said Ghana was walking a tight rope between good danger and good benefits that could accrue to Ghana in the event of such an agreement which “will to a large extent strengthen defence relationship and address shared security challenges in the region especially in countering terrorism… and will obviously come with direct and indirect material and non-material incentives and also improve diplomatic relations between the two countries leading to enormous benefits in trade and security deals”, he said.

He said terrorists have succeeded in staging “these attacks in Mali, Ivory Coast and very recently, for the second time, in Burkina Faso. The establishment of the military base will obviously include Ghana in the terrorist “collaborator hit list” and make us precariously susceptible to attacks.”, Mr Adib Saani revealed.

MYNEWSGH.com this dawn broke the news about an agreement headed to parliament on the establishment of a US Military base in Ghana.

According to the document first intercepted by MYNEWSGH.com, the US military will use Ghana as a base to deploy its soldiers and will “possess and carry arms in Ghana, while on duty if authorized to do so, by their orders, such authorization being made in consultation with the appropriate authorities of Ghana. Military personnel may wear their uniforms while performing official duties.”

According to the document, “United States Contractors shall not be liable to pay tax or similar charge assess within Ghana in connection with this agreement”. The US military is also authorized to control entry to the facilities meant for the exclusive use of their forces.

“This Agreement sets forth a framework for enhanced partnership and security cooperation between the Parties with the aims of strengthening their defence relationship further and addressing shared security challenges in the region, including those relating to the protection of Government personnel and facilities.

“This Agreement clarifies access to and use of agreed facilities and areas by United States forces, thereby facilitating training, including to maintain unit readiness, combined exercises, and other military engagement opportunities.