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General News of Monday, 3 November 2003

Source: Insight / Joy Online

Why Government Sold Ghana Cheap

A document released by the World Federalist Association on the Internet suggests that the Government of Ghana was blackmailed into signing an agreement, which grants immunity to American citizens from prosecution, by the International Criminal Court.

According to the document, Ghana is among 32 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, which were being threatened with sanctions by the USA.

The World Federalist Association said the US is threatening to withhold $89.28m worth of military aid if the countries fail to grant American citizens immunity from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

All the countries were given up to November 1, 2003 to grant the immunity to US citizens or lose this chance to benefit from US military assistance.

The Insight newspaper says it is estimated that on average, each of the countries, which will grant immunity to US citizens, will receive less than $3 million in military assistance. The average amount is not even enough to buy one helicopter for the Ghana Armed Forces.