The Minority in Parliament is of the view that the withdrawal of military attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is a calculated attempt by the Akufo-Addo-led government to diminish the Speaker’s confidence in the discharge of his duties.
The GAF in a letter to Parliament asked for the withdrawal of four soldiers attached to the Office of the Speaker who have been working there since January 2021. According to the GAF, the attachment was done without “proper procedure”.
A statement from the Ministry of National Security also said, “personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces do not form part of the security detail for the Speaker and Parliament as Parliamentary security support is provided by the Ghana Police Service”.
But the Minority does not find the explanations justifiable.
“The Minority in Parliament is saddened and strongly denounce the withdrawal by President Akufo-Addo’s government of the military detail attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin with effect from the 14th January, 2022” a statement signed by the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said.
The Minority also believes there is something fishy about the move and they suspect it has to do with the discharge of the Speaker’s duties.
“The minority is certain that the action of the military high command relative to the withdrawal of Mr Speaker’s security detail is politically motivated and calculated to diminish his confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government”, parts of the Minority statement reads.
The Minority has also indicated that should the security of the Speaker be compromised, they will not hesitate to hold the Akufo-Addo-led government responsible.
“In the circumstances, the minority shall hold the government of President Akufo Addo responsible should the security of Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin , the speaker of Parliament be compromised in any way.”
By 3news.com|Ghana