US Expels Ghanaian Diplomat In Tit-For-Tat Measure

Accra (GAR), June 20, - The U.S. Embassy in Accra confirmed today that the U.S. has asked the Ghana government to withdraw a Ghanaian diplomat in Washington. This follows the demand of the Ghana government last month for the withdrawal of Mr Nick Robertson, the Director of the United States Information Service (USIS) in Accra. Mr Todd Pierce, Acting Public Affairs Officer confirmed in a statement in Accra that the U.S. government has requested that the Government of Ghana, through its Ambassador in Washington, withdraw first secretary Hannah Ama Nyarko. The statement said the embassy could alternatively withdraw the alternate diplomatic member of similar rank and status of Mr Robertson. "We requested that the Ghanaian diplomat depart Washington no later than July 19 or risk the issuance of a persona non grata declaration. "We consider the government of Ghana's unwarranted expulsion of the Public Affairs Officer as interference in the operation of the U.S. Mission in Accra." The government last month asked for the withdrawal of Mr Robertson for "activities unacceptable from a diplomat."

ACDRs Have Constitutional Right To Exist _ Rawlings Accra, June 19, - President Jerry John Rawlings today said the Association of Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (ACDR's) has the right to exist and no amount of propaganda can erode its legitimacy as an association under the constitution. He said by virtue of freedom of association as enshrined in the constitution, every worker or member of management has a right to belong to the ACDR and to form a workplace ACDR in the country. This was contained in a speech read for him at the celebration of the 15th anniversary of CDR's (Committees for the Defence of the Revolution) now called ACDR's, today in Accra. He called on the ACDR's to always remember the objectives of the association which he said is the education of ordinary workers, farmers and progressive-minded people of their rights and obligations as citizens under the constitution. President Rawlings urged them to continue to articulate and fight for the rights of all deprived or marginalized people in the country and protect their interest. "We have proved our commitment and dedication to preserving the stability of the nation," he said, adding: "Lets maintain the momentum of the revolution and be guided by the fact of the emergence of new forces that seek to destroy the gains achieved so far".