A coalition led by the Youth Wing of the Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) has launched a nationwide petition calling for the repeal of the 2018 Defence Cooperation Agreement between Ghana and the United States of America.
The group says the agreement, signed between the two governments, grants extensive privileges to the United States, including unimpeded access to the Kotoka International Airport and other designated facilities, the right to preposition military equipment on Ghanaian soil, and freedom of movement without case-by-case approval.
According to the coalition, the deal also provides exemptions from taxes, customs duties, and inspections for U.S. personnel, grants them diplomatic-level immunity, and allows U.S. authorities to exercise jurisdiction over legal matters involving their forces in Ghana.
The petition has already garnered more than 500 signatures from individuals and organizations across the country, reflecting growing public concern over the implications of the agreement on Ghana’s sovereignty and governance.
In a statement, the group outlined a series of demands directed at Parliament. These include the immediate release of the full, unredacted agreement to ensure transparency and public accountability, as well as the convening of urgent public hearings to allow broad stakeholder engagement.
The coalition is also calling for the repeal or renegotiation of key provisions in the agreement, particularly those they argue undermine Ghana’s legal authority, customs control, and regulatory oversight. Additionally, they are demanding a binding resolution to prohibit the establishment of foreign military bases in Ghana under any designation.
Further demands include stricter parliamentary oversight of all future defence agreements, including full debate and approval by a two-thirds majority, as well as the pursuit of alternative security partnerships based on mutual respect and independence.
The group is encouraging citizens to support the campaign by signing the petition online or at designated centers in Accra, sharing the initiative within their networks, and engaging their Members of Parliament to push for action.
Organisations have also been invited to join the coalition to amplify the call for reform, while details of a planned formal submission of the petition are expected to be announced in the coming days.
The SMG Youth Wing says the campaign forms part of a broader effort to promote transparency, protect national sovereignty, and ensure that Ghana’s international agreements reflect the will and interests of its people.
