Government of Ghana under US pressure

The Government of Ghana is under pressure to meet US demands not to surrender its (US) nationals or military/government employee (past or present, including contractors and non-nationals) who might commit crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide in Ghana to the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICCJ).

It has up to November 01, 2003 to ratify the Bilateral Immunity Agreement (BIA) it has already signed or lose a $4 million military equipment transaction it has already entered into with the US government.

Parliament, which is expected to ratify the agreement, is expected to be debating the matter today but it is feared that proceedings in parliament would be rushed in order to meet the deadline set by the Americans.

The government of Ghana has already signed the agreement with the USA and is now awaiting Parliamentary ratification. The majority leader, Felix Owusu-Agyepong laid a paper to that effect in the House Tuesday, prompting a very negative welcome from the minority.

Parliamentary insiders hinted newsinghana that the initial reaction from the NDC is a clear indication of what should be expected when the debate begins this morning.

Ghana signed the US Treaty in July this year for 4 million dollars when the Bush administration withdrew the signature of its predecessor, the Clinton administration that committed the USA to the UN treaty. The Clinton signed Treaty prescribed that the US hands over all criminals of its nationality to the ICCJ.

Ghana was one of the first countries to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Court of Justice (December 1999). Her position has subsequently gained her nomination to the ICCJ in the person of Prof. Ekua Kuenyehia, vice-president of the court.

UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan has already kicked against the US position and some diplomatic sources have hinted newsinghana that, if the country ratifies the US treaty, it would lose international reputation.

Countries such as Kenya and South Africa have thrown out the US proposal.

As at press time yesterday, the minority was giving out strong signals that it would fight tooth and nail to oppose the agreement because it is “dangerous to the country.”