... and six other countries in international court flap
The United States has lifted military aid sanctions against Ghana and six other countries in return for their agreement not to extradite US citizens indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The US government gave Ghana up to November 1, 2003, to ratify its Bilateral Non-Surrender Agreement (BNSA), or risk being cut off from US military assistance.
Ghana gets about $4 million in military aid from the US anually.
Under the BNSA, the Ghana government undertakes not to surrender American citizens suspected or accused of war crimes to the International Criminal Court at The Hague for prosecution.
On Tuesday, 29 October, the government confirmed speculation in the international media that it had secretly signed the BNSA. The proof came when the Majority Leader, Felix Owusu-Adjapong laid the agreement before Parliament for ratification
On Thursday, 31 October, parliament by 101 votes to 53 voted for the ratification of the bilateral agreement which effectively grants US citizens immunity from ICC jurisdiction.
Members of the Minority vehemently protested against the motion saying it violates the sovereignty of the country and that the country should not cheapen itself just for peanuts.
The government argued that Ghana stands to benefit with military assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces. The US assistance to the military is by way of providing reconnaissance military vessels, aircraft, training programmes.
Secondly, the country's national interest, especially its friendship and relation with the US, made it prudent for the country to go along with the Agreement.
A White House statement issued in Gulfport, Mississippi, where President George W. Bush was on a campaign trip, said Saturday that Ghana, Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, East Timor, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda had all signed the accord satisfying Washington's demands.
The statement said Romania, which has not yet signed such an accord, was being given a six-month extension to do so.
The United States cut off military aid to 38 countries that refused to sign the accord. Under US law, Washington must suspend military assistance to most ICC member nations that have not signed such agreements.
Washington fears the court could become a forum for politically motivated prosecutions of US citizens, especially soldiers deployed abroad, and has been on a worldwide campaign to sign bilateral immunity deals.
Ironically, Ghana has two eminent personalities serving as a Vice President on the ICC and the UN Secretary General. Mrs Akua Kuenyehia is a Justice and Vice President of the International Criminal Court.
... and six other countries in international court flap
The United States has lifted military aid sanctions against Ghana and six other countries in return for their agreement not to extradite US citizens indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The US government gave Ghana up to November 1, 2003, to ratify its Bilateral Non-Surrender Agreement (BNSA), or risk being cut off from US military assistance.
Ghana gets about $4 million in military aid from the US anually.
Under the BNSA, the Ghana government undertakes not to surrender American citizens suspected or accused of war crimes to the International Criminal Court at The Hague for prosecution.
On Tuesday, 29 October, the government confirmed speculation in the international media that it had secretly signed the BNSA. The proof came when the Majority Leader, Felix Owusu-Adjapong laid the agreement before Parliament for ratification
On Thursday, 31 October, parliament by 101 votes to 53 voted for the ratification of the bilateral agreement which effectively grants US citizens immunity from ICC jurisdiction.
Members of the Minority vehemently protested against the motion saying it violates the sovereignty of the country and that the country should not cheapen itself just for peanuts.
The government argued that Ghana stands to benefit with military assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces. The US assistance to the military is by way of providing reconnaissance military vessels, aircraft, training programmes.
Secondly, the country's national interest, especially its friendship and relation with the US, made it prudent for the country to go along with the Agreement.
A White House statement issued in Gulfport, Mississippi, where President George W. Bush was on a campaign trip, said Saturday that Ghana, Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, East Timor, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda had all signed the accord satisfying Washington's demands.
The statement said Romania, which has not yet signed such an accord, was being given a six-month extension to do so.
The United States cut off military aid to 38 countries that refused to sign the accord. Under US law, Washington must suspend military assistance to most ICC member nations that have not signed such agreements.
Washington fears the court could become a forum for politically motivated prosecutions of US citizens, especially soldiers deployed abroad, and has been on a worldwide campaign to sign bilateral immunity deals.
Ironically, Ghana has two eminent personalities serving as a Vice President on the ICC and the UN Secretary General. Mrs Akua Kuenyehia is a Justice and Vice President of the International Criminal Court.
