Hundreds of residents of Tamale took to the streets on Saturday to demand that government reverse its latest security agreement with the United States government.
The agreement which has already been ratified by Parliament, generated considerable debate across the country, with some groups and individuals including the minority describing it as a sale of the nation’s sovereignty.
A group calling itself “The Ghana First Patriotic Front”, organisers of the protest is made up of opposition political parties, especially members of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) and some members of the public.
According to the group, the Ghana-US Military Cooperation agreement threatens the sovereignty of Ghana as an independent country.
Clad in red and black apparels, the protestors marched through some principal streets in the metropolis to drum home their demand on President Nana Akufo-Addo to cancel the military deal.
Leading members of the group are scheduled to address the demonstrators at the Tamale Jubilee Park, where the protestors would converge after the march.
About three weeks ago, the group embarked on a similar demonstration in Accra.
Some of the leading members of the NDC who joined the march include the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa and the Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Sofo Azoka and a leading member of the NDC Huudu Yahaya.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, reechoed that the deal is not in the interest of the nation.
That was why they – NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) decided not to have anything doing with and walked out of the House, when it brought there for ratification.
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said: “Ghana’s interest cannot be compromised” and that “the citizenry shall continue to defend the interest of the country no matter what it takes.”
The NDC North Tongu Member of Parliament and Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs in Ghana’s Parliament, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa who joined the demonstration, tweeted that: “An emphatic message from the good people of Tamale. The Ghanaian people will continue to resist any agreement which undermines our sovereignty, security and national interest even as we cherish our friendly relations with the USA.”
Source: starr
