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17.01.2022 PNC

Withdrawal of Speaker’s military guards in bad faith; will deepen cracks in Parliament - PNC

PNC National Communications Secretary Awudu IshaqPNC National Communications Secretary Awudu Ishaq
17.01.2022 LISTEN

The People's National Convention (PNC) has condemned the withdrawal of military bodyguards from the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin.

On Friday, January 14, 2022, a letter from the Ghana Armed Forces addressed to the Speaker informed him that four military officers assigned to him were being recalled.

The statement explained that the decision had become necessary because the personnel were attached to his security detail without the proper procedure.

Not accepting that explanation, the PNC in a statement has said the pettiness and pedestrianism by the Executive is becoming nauseating and sickening.

While questioning the government on what it will gain from the withdrawal of the Speaker’s military guards, the PNC has warned that the consequences could be dire for Parliament.

“This attitude by the government and by extension the Executive is in bad faith and does not support the clarion calls for consensus building in our hung Parliament for the smooth conduct of government business.

“Deliberately targeting the Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin employing such draconian measures will only polarise and deepen the gaping cracks in the August House of Parliament to further stall government business,” a PNC statement signed by National Communications Secretary Awudu Ishaq has said.

The PNC stresses that as a matter of urgency, the appropriate institutions and individuals such as the military, Minister for Defence and the Minister for Interior should expedite action to beef up the Rt. Hon Speaker's personal security for him to discharge the mandate conferred on him by the people of Ghana through their representatives in Parliament.

Read the full PNC statement below:

WITHDRAWING THE RIGHT HON SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT'S MILITARY ATTACHMENT JEOPARDISES HIS SAFETY AND SECURITY, RECTIFY THE ANOMALY NOW.

The pettiness and pedestrianism by the Executive is becoming nauseating and sickening. What does the government intend to achieve by withdrawing the military attaché' in the security detail of the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament?

Is this still part of the grand scheme and orchestration to intimidate and possibly cower him into submission to pave way for the Majority Group to have its way in Parliament?

The safety and security of the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament is very critical and crucial as far as the discharge of his mandate is concerned. To unilaterally and arbitrarily temper with and alter his security arrangement without any proven and justified reason only exposes him and make him vulnerable.

The Military Command, Ministry of Defence and the Interior Ministry must brace themselves to accept any liability in the unfortunate event that anything untoward or disastrous happens to the Number Three Gentleman of the land.

This attitude by the government and by extension the Executive is in bad faith and does not support the clarion calls for consensus building in our hung Parliament for the smooth conduct of government business.

Deliberately targeting the Rt Hon Alban Bagbin employing such draconian measures will only polarise and deepen the gaping cracks in the August House of Parliament to further stall government business.

As a matter of urgency, the appropriate institutions and individuals such as the military, Minister for Defence and the Minister for Interior should expedite action to beef up the Rt Hon Speaker's personal security for him to discharge the mandate conferred on him by the people of Ghana through their representatives in the August House of Parliament.

By Awudu Ishaq

Nat Communications Secretary

PNC

15/01/22

Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo
Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo

JournalistPage: EricNanaYawKwafo

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