Gitmo detainees Ghana transfer controversy

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In January 2016, the Government of Ghana accepted the transfer of two Yemeni ex-detainees from the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay into the country for a period of two years despite popular opposition in Ghana. [1] While groups such as OccupyGhana and the opposition New Patriotic Party have described the deal as "secretive" [2] and "unconstitutional" [3] others including Office of the Chief Imam have reiterated the need to accept them on compassionate grounds. [4]

On January 25 2017, GhanaWeb referred to a contract signed between Ghana, and the US, where Ghana agreed the men would stay in Ghana for at least two years after their transfer. [5]

On June 22 2017, the Supreme Court of Ghana ruled that the agreement signed by the President of Ghana was in violation of Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Only by an Act of Parliament could the agreement become valid. Subsequently, unless the current government submits the agreement to Parliament for approval within three months, the two prisoners would be returned to the United States. [6]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Guantanamo detainees transferred to Ghana". BBC.com. 7 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Gitmo transfer: Gov't decision secretive – Law Prof". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  3. ↑ Marian Ansah (15 January 2016). "Hosting ex-Gitmo detainees without approval unconstitutional – MP". Citifmonline. Archived from the original on 2017-01-26. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  4. ↑ Emmanuel Tornyi (January 14, 2016). "Accept Gitmo detainees on humanitarian grounds - Chief Imam". Pulse Ghana. Archived from the original on 2016-04-14. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  5. ↑ "'Gitmo 2 likely to stay in Ghana till end of contract'". Ghana Web. 2017-01-25. Archived from the original on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-01-26. The two former detainees from Guantanamo Bay currently being hosted in Ghana, may continue to stay in the country until the two-year contract signed between the government of Ghana and the US expires.
  6. ↑ Boakye-yiadom, Nana (2017-06-22). "Ghana Court Rejects Resettlement of Guantánamo Bay Detainees". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2017-08-29.
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