The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan, has called for the agreement to be brought before Parliament for ratification.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, September 18, Alhassan argued that, as an international agreement, the MoU requires legislative approval under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution.
Alhassan’s comments followed explanations from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who clarified that the current MoU with the United States is an executive agreement rather than a binding treaty, and therefore does not need immediate parliamentary ratification.
The debate comes after Ghana recently received 14 deportees from the United States, a group that included nationals from Nigeria and Gambia. The event has sparked discussions about the legal framework governing such agreements and the necessity of parliamentary involvement.
Critics, including former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Owiredu, have echoed calls for greater transparency and consultation, urging the government to involve parliamentary oversight committees, such as the Security and Intelligence Committee.
“I think it is something that has to come to Parliament for us to ratify because it is an international agreement and international agreements can come in various shapes and forms. It can be by MoU, it can be by any means or form,” Alhassan stated emphatically. He dismissed arguments that the nature of the agreement should exempt it from scrutiny, insisting, “I don’t think the nature or the structure of it should excuse it from being captured under Article 75. So I feel that agreement [should come to Parliament]. It is not too late.”
Alhassan acknowledged that Parliament’s current recess may have delayed the process but expressed confidence that the MoU could still be presented for post facto ratification once the House reconvenes. “It is our advice that even when it is late, still bring it; we will give it that post facto ratification. Maybe it is also because Parliament is on recess…I foresee that when Parliament comes back from recess this may be brought for post facto ratification,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that Ghana will soon receive an additional 40 West African deportees from the United States, intensifying calls for greater legislative oversight of such international agreements.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
