The Eagle OnlineThe Eagle Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Life & Style
    • Crime
    • R&D Health
    • Diet and Fitness
    • Intimacy
  • Entertainment
    • Photos
    • Fashion
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Videos
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • 2023: FRSC cautions motorists against reckless driving
  • Earthquake: Buhari commiserates with Turkey, pledges support
  • Arase and his new cap, by Shola Oshunkeye
  • 2023 International FGM Day: NAWOJ condemns act, calls for opposition to practice
  • Contempt: Again, court sends EFCC boss, Bawa, to Kuje prison, directs IGP to arrest him
  • PWD explains why he acquires skill, avoids begging
  • Ekiti workers paid one month salary arrears
  • Court dissolves saleswoman’s marriage over constant battery, lack of affection
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Eagle OnlineThe Eagle Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Life & Style
    • Crime
    • R&D Health
    • Diet and Fitness
    • Intimacy
  • Entertainment
    • Photos
    • Fashion
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Videos
The Eagle OnlineThe Eagle Online
Home»News»World News»Thousands of Ghanaians protest over expanded military co-operation deal with U.S.
World News

Thousands of Ghanaians protest over expanded military co-operation deal with U.S.

The Eagle OnlineBy The Eagle OnlineMarch 28, 2018No Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
ghana-logo
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Thousands of people protested in Ghana’s capital Accra on Wednesday against the expansion of its defence cooperation with the U.S., in a rare public display of opposition to the growing foreign military presence in West Africa.
Demonstrators blowing vuvuzelas and beating drums filled Accra’s business district, holding placards criticizing a new deal with Washington that they say threatens Ghana’s sovereignty.
“As a right-thinking citizen, I am here to fight for my country. I am against selling our peace and security for $20 million,” said Gifty Yankson, a 49-year-old trader.
Yankson added: “They (the American military) become a curse everywhere they are, and I am not ready to mortgage my security.”
Police estimated the crowd size at about 3,500 protesters.
While officers in riot gear were present, no violence was reported.
International powers including the United States and France are looking to extend their presence in the remote Sahel region in particular, where al Qaeda and Islamic State militants have gained a strong foothold in recent years.
But Washington is struggling to mend its image in Africa, which was damaged by reports President Donald Trump described African nations as “shithole countries” in a discussion on immigration.
The White House later denied he used that language.
Under the deal approved by Ghana’s parliament last week, the U.S. will invest around $20 million in training and equipment for the Ghanaian military this year. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the parliamentary vote.
In return, the U.S. military will be allowed to deploy troops and import military equipment tax-free, use an airport runway that meets U.S. standards, and have free access to Ghana’s radio spectrum.
Ghana has had a long-standing military and trade ties with the U. S., but many say the latest agreement was a step too far.
Responding to local press reports concerning the deal, the U.S. Embassy in Accra underscored in a statement on March 24 that it had no plans to establish a military base in Ghana.
The embassy said the existing 20-year-old cooperation agreement “does not cover the current range and volume of bilateral exercises and assistance”.
Four elite U.S. soldiers were killed in Niger alongside local troops in an Islamist ambush in October, sparking a fierce debate back home about covert U.S. actions in West Africa.
The U. S. has about 7,200 U.S. Defense Department personnel, including soldiers, stationed in Africa.
Over half of those are stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, with the remaining personnel scattered across 32 other smaller locations.

Accra Ghana Gifty Yankson U S
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email
The Eagle Online

Related Posts

Five killed in Pakistan confrontation

February 3, 2023

Eight school children killed after boat capsizes in Ghana

January 26, 2023

UK Prime Minister fined for not wearing seatbelt in back of car + Video, photo

January 21, 2023
© 2023 The Eagle Online.
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advert Rates
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.