Lawyer petitions Supreme Court to declare Ghana-US defence deal void
Another writ, this time by a private legal practitioner, has been filed at the Supreme Court praying for an order to declare the Ghana-United States defence cooperation void and of no effect.
The plaintiff, Nana Adjei Ampofo, who is representing himself in the matter, filed the writ on Wednesday March 28 , 2018, saying that the sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity of the Ghana were being thrown away by the government through the agreement.
Advertisement
He thus becomes the third person to go to the Apex Court challenging the military deal.
2 Petition Supreme Court to nullify Ghana-US military defence pact
Reliefs
He is seeking five reliefs including the declaration that the the agreement was inconsistent and in conflict with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of Ghana.
Nana Ampofo, a former Member of the Cluncil of State and ex-Omanhene of Goaso, is also seeking a declaration that the agreement was against the will and wish of the people of the country as expressed in the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution.
Besides, the plaintiff want the Apex Court to declare that the agreement is a danger to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country .
Again, he is seeking a declaration that the agreement caused wilful financial loss to Ghana.
Nana Ampofo is further seeking a declaration that the President, members of Cabinet and the Members of Parliament support for the agreement breached all or some oaths sworn to by them on their assumption of office.
Case
In his case, the plaintiff stated that the government and people of Ghana have one of the best police and armed forces in spite of the country's challenges.
"The government and people of Ghana do not need the Armed Forces of the United States for their defence and protection, " he said in the writ .
Military base
The writ further stated , " The agreement is for the purpose of the establishment of a military base in Ghana. Even though the Minister of Defence vehemently denies that the agreement is for that purpose of establishing a military base, I maintain on reasonable grounds that the agreement is for that purpose . "
He referred to the definition of a military base by Wikipedia to back his assertion that it was indeed a military base that the United States wanted to establish in Ghana.
Making reference to Articles as contained in the agreement, Nana Ampofo said, " Perhaps the most interesting but annoying provision in the agreement is provided in Article 12 which grants the United States forces unlimited freedom of movement for personnel, vehicles, vessels, and aircraft within the territory and territorial waters of Ghana. "
"The agreement the writ said, confirmed on the United States military the right to enter the land, sea and air space of Ghana and do whatever they want forever as it would please them.
"It is for this reason that I state that the sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity of the Republic of Ghana are being thrown away by the government," his writ said.