New details have emerged that the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration under President John Evans Atta Mills signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States government to establish a regional training base for law enforcement and criminal justice organization in Ghana.
According to a document available to DAILY GUIDE, Ghana and the US, as well as other international organizations, were to implement a regional training base that would focus on combating transnational crime and build criminal justice sector capacity in the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Per the agreement, the US government would establish a Regional Training Centre that would utilize “physical space in an existing facility in Accra and have close proximity to the Kotoka International Airport and other supporting facilities for lodging, food and transportation.”
The agreement also exempted “all equipment, material, and articles that may be imported for use in implementing the programme of all customs duties and taxes concerning their entry into Ghana, in accordance with current national legislation within the framework of non-reimbursable international technical cooperation.”
Interestingly, the MoU also granted “the issuance of temporary official visas at no cost that may be required for instructors, consultants, advisers and students with the purpose of attending the regional training centre.”
Administration
According to the MoU, which was signed by Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, then National Security Coordinator and Donald G. Teitelbaum, then US Ambassador to Ghana, the US government (USG) intended to provide training courses at the regional training centre and all the services may be provided through a contract awarded by the US government. The MoU was signed on July 5, 2012, some few days before the death of President Atta Mills.
Per the agreement, the USG intended to fund an “in-country USG programme director, who is responsible for all daily activities in support of the programmes.
“The programme director would be responsible for all daily activities in support of the programme. The programme director would be responsible for coordinating with the US Embassy and government of Ghana on administrative issues, and shall receive programme oversight from the Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs.”
According to the MoU, the government of Ghana intended to appoint Ghanaian personnel, who would work with the programme manager on administrative and logistical support issues, oversee the implementation of in-kind contributions and immigration for participating students, foreign instructors and consultants.
Period Of Validity
The MoU, according to the leaked document, also agreed that the regional training facility project was to remain indefinitely.
It states that should Ghana or the US decide to enter into a Letter of Agreement for the programme, the agreement would supersede the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding, which is not different from what the current government is entering into.
“Either the USG or the government of Ghana may cease its activities under this MoU by notifying the other participant in writing three months in advance,” the MoU stated.
Intentions of Programme
The NDC and the US government stated the intentions of the USG in the establishment of the training base as “To provide through the Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (subject to the availability of appropriated funds), funds to defray operational and training programmes cost, to include the programme manager, travel of instructors and regional students as well as room and board for non-local students.”
The US was also to provide full financial management of all USG funds associated with the programme, as well as provide furniture, equipment, computers and other articles needed to outfit the areas dedicated to the regional training centre.
The government of Ghana, on the other hand, was to designate personnel from the National Security Council Secretariat as the primary agency assigned to the training centre.
Ghana was to be responsible for maintenance and operations, including security requirements of any GoG-provided facility to support the training centre.
“To exempt all equipment, material and articles that may be imported for use implementing the programme, of all customs duties and taxes concerning their entry into Ghana, in accordance with current national legislation, within the framework of non-reimbursable international technical cooperation, among other things.”
Source: Daily Guide
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is this the justification for Ghana to sign the new agreement? what Ghanians are saying us that, what is happened in the past is gone but going forward we want Ghana to act right. Let us reconsider and amend the agreement in the interest of our nation Ghana. shalom
My fellow Ghanaians please lets wake up from this political sleep blaming game and look at Ghana. The fact that the NDC was not fair with us that is why we booted them out. Please forget about that and lets focus on the new one. We should not let politics blind us to doing critical analysis of the new contract. Please these politicians are playing us. But i warn them, whatever seed they sow, they will reap the same.Ghana is bigger than NDC and NPP. They are both buying houses outside Ghana, sending their children to go live outside. This deal with the US will not help us please lets stop this blaming game and fix this.
It is very clear that the ndc is sinking and thus trying to hold on to any straw they come across to stay above water. They had 8 years of our lives but instead of improving it they rather chose to embezzle our limited resources for their own gains. You see those of you who think that by doing this the ndc would be able to win election 2020 you are completely deceiving yourselves and I am happy about that. Continue to swim in your ***barred word*** paradise and take it from me if in 2020 you are able to repeat your humiliating 44% then you have to thank your GOD. In all this debate about this agreement it is very evident that the ndc is not to be trusted and they would rather want to do things in secret. GOD will expose all of you.
May the good Lord of Host severely PUN!$H ba$-tards in the NDC. Absolute L!ARS, Hy-POCRITES, !GNOR-ANT T-Wa-TS and nation wrecker$. Bunch of F00L!SH people who want nothing good for Ghana. And it's only in a country like Ghana that such unprincipled group like the NDC will virtually ***barred word*** the masses and get away with it.
To be governed by such use~less people would have sent me to my earleir grave. They are good for nothing people.
NDC is exposed from all angles in this Ghana-US Military Deals. But, be the people that they are, they will never accept any responsibility and own up to all these revelations. They will still be in their elements-twisting facts, insulting, casting insinuations, playing on the emotions of the people, shouting above their voices and painting other people black. Fortunately, they won't succeed in the long run.
Look at this NDC fo.o.ls, God purnish you all
Name: The NDC will continue to languish in it's ignorance. Your insulttss will not wash. We are blessed as a nation to have a responsible President and government that pride themselves in consultation. You NDC guys cannot change the constitution or give it a new interpretation. You guys had the opportunity to give your contribution at parliament but you walked out in your usual recalcitrant mood. When will the NDC learn to be respectful, objective and level-headed? Your understanding of politics is to looot the public purse while insulttingg citizens. It is also your wish that the public always remains naive so that you can peddle your liees. Well, since we are in a democratic regime, 2020 will tell how Ghanaians regard Nana Addo as against you guys. Only elections can determine where you guys stand and not your usellesss noise. How can a band of "Dzi wo fie asem" advocates ever understand security issues?
Who to take over? ***barred word***
NPP just because NDC opposed your intentions to sale our sovereignty for $20 million, you are doing everything to discredit them. Anyway we are seeing all that is going on and just as NDC had the shock of their lives, 3 years is just at the corner here The silent majority without voices are watching you (NPP). The silent majority did not vote for you to employ your family, friends and NPP faithfuls and also for that braagart Kennedy Agyapong to think his party is in power so he can speak anyhow. Keep adding family and friends. You should remember that it is the silent majority who brought you to power.