'It's insulting' - Kwesi Pratt backs renewed call to scrap Ghana-US military pact

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has renewed calls for Ghana’s 2018 defence cooperation agreement with the United States to be scrapped.

He strongly criticised the 2018 defence cooperation agreement, describing provisions that grant US forces access to key national infrastructure as “insulting” and a threat to Ghana’s sovereignty.

Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on April 22, 2026, Pratt argued that clauses within the deal often referred to as the Ghana-US Status of Military Agreement give foreign troops privileges that undermine Ghana’s control over its own territory.

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“For me, this agreement is not just flawed, it is insulting. It undermines our sovereignty and exposes us to risks we do not control,” he said.

His comments come as the youth wing of the Socialist Forum intensifies calls for the repeal of the agreement through a nationwide petition.

According to the group, the pact grants US personnel unimpeded access to facilities such as Kotoka International Airport now the Accra International Airport, allows the repositioning of military equipment on Ghanaian soil, and permits movement without case-by-case approval.

It also provides exemptions from taxes, customs duties, and inspections, while granting US personnel a level of legal immunity.

“This agreement is an affront to the sovereignty of Ghana in many ways,” he said.

He argued that US soldiers are allowed to enter the country without visas or passports, using only military identification.

He further claimed that US personnel are not subject to searches upon entry or exit, describing the arrangement as one that places them “above diplomats” and beyond the reach of Ghanaian authorities.

Beyond entry privileges, Pratt raised concerns about access to critical infrastructure, suggesting that even Ghana’s highest officials could face restrictions in areas controlled by US forces under the agreement.

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“You have a situation where foreign troops can operate within key national facilities with limited oversight. That is deeply troubling,” he stated.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr also warned of broader security implications, linking the agreement to rising global tensions.

According to him, allowing foreign forces to use Ghana as a potential operational base could expose the country to external threats.

“If you allow your territory to be used to wage war, you become a legitimate target.

“Why should Ghana become a target in conflicts we were not consulted on?” he quizzed.

Pratt further cited examples of countries reassessing similar arrangements, noting that some European nations have restricted the use of their territory in foreign military operations to avoid being drawn into geopolitical conflicts.

He expressed concern that the lack of inspection rights could allow the movement of sensitive or dangerous military equipment into Ghana without oversight.

Despite his strong opposition, Kwesi Pratt acknowledged that the agreement followed due constitutional process, having been ratified by Parliament.

Still, he insists that legality does not equate to legitimacy, urging a national rethink of the pact.

VPO/AE

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