A group calling itself the Organized Youth of Ashanti (OYA) is expected to embark on a demonstration at Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region against the much talked about Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).
According to the group, they are staging the demonstration to protest against the deal as their civic responsibility to protect the sovereignty of our country.
“We are deeply convinced, that the time is due to join the struggle against this Ghana/US Defense Cooperation [ads1]Agreement (DCA) which glaringly shows that our territorial sovereignty has been merchandised by the Akuffo Addo/ Bawumia government for pittance,” the Chairman of OYA, Charles Agyemang stated in a statement.
The contentiously approved agreement will among other things see Ghana provide unhindered access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to the United States forces, United States contractors, and others as equally agreed between the two countries.
Per the agreement, the US military will be exempted from paying taxes on equipment that is brought to Ghana.
A few weeks ago, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and Ghana Patriotic Front joined by major opposition political parties in the country demonstrated on the streets of Accra to convene their displeasure of the agreement.
In responding to the demonstrators in a live telecast, President Akufo Addo described persons agitating against the agreement as ‘unspeakable hypocrites and reckless self seekers’.
Such persons, President Akufo Addo said are “running with the hares and hunting with the hounds” in a matter that has left the country divided.
On this, OYA in the statement said: “We are deeply convinced, that the time is due to join the struggle against this Ghana/US Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) which glaringly shows that our territorial sovereignty has been merchandised by the Akuffo Addo/ Bawumia government for pittance.”
Below is the full statement by the group:
DEMONSTRATION IN KUMASI AGAINST THE DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN GHANA AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Following the reluctant posture of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo over the US Military base establishment in Ghana, it has become necessary for further pressure to be mounted on the President to withdraw this unqualified agreement.
We are deeply convinced, that the time is due to join the struggle against this Ghana/US Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) which glaringly shows that our territorial sovereignty has been merchandised by the Akuffo Addo/ Bawumia government for pittance.
We consider it our civic responsibility as citizens of the Republic of Ghana to protect the sovereignty of our country by every means possible as enshrined in the Constitution.
To us, it was a great opportunity for the President to re-assure the people of Ghana, of a possible review or abrogation of the ‘so-called’ enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement but
instead, he used the opportunity to vilify and cast insinuations on citizens who expressed dissent on the agreement.
It was our wish that the struggle against the DCA would not have travelled this far, but the adamant posture of the President of Ghana and his government leave us with no other option.
We have therefore notified the Ghana Police Service in accordance with Section 1 (1) of the Public Order Act 1994 (Act 491), to embark on a peaceful demonstration to express our exasperation over the DCA in Kumasi.
Demonstrators will converge at the Kumasi Central Post Office in Adum at 6:00 am prompt, and end at the Aboabo M/A School (Post Office) on Tusesday, 17th April, 2018 where leaders will take time to address the crowd.
We humbly appeal to all well-meaning Ghanaians from far and near to come out in your numbers to join us express our disquiet to the DCA.
Long Live Ghana! Long Live Asanteman!
Signed : Charles Agyemang (Chairman)
