Speaker Bagbin outdoors uniforms for new parliamentary security guards 

Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has officially outdoored uniforms and equipment for 74 newly recruited Parliamentary Security guards after their successful completion of rigorous military training.

The officers underwent intensive training with the Ghana Armed Forces at the 64 Infantry Regiment, Asutsuare Training Centre.

At a ceremony held in Parliament House, the Speaker underscored the unique and sacred place of Parliament in Ghana’s constitutional democracy, describing it as an arm of government equal to the Executive and Judiciary and the pillar of multiparty democracy.

“Parliament occupies a unique and sacred place in our constitutional democracy… If Parliament collapses, democracy collapses, governance is destroyed, and we are in a chaotic situation, a lawless society. That is why Parliament is referred to as the pillar of democratic government,” he stated.

He told the new officers that the uniform they wore was more than fabric and colour, but represented authority, discipline, responsibility, integrity, and service.

Addressing security concerns, Speaker Bagbin cautioned that Ghana’s Parliament remained one of the most open in the world, making it vulnerable to security risks.

“This is really a security zone. But by the nature of our work, we are asked to be open and transparent. And this is the most open Parliament I have ever seen in the world. We don’t easily walk into Parliament anywhere in the world without being scrutinised to detail. No way in the world. But here we are so open that anybody can walk in at anytime, and I am told even some people come to sit there in the night,” he said.

The Speaker described Parliament House—formerly known as State House—as a key national security installation, comparable to Akosombo, noting that although it is shared with the Executive, which controls the Banquet Hall, Protocol Department, and Maintenance Unit, the rest of the precinct remained firmly under the control of Parliament.

“We are in possession of this state property. We share it with the Executive… but the rest are firmly under the control of Parliament. But we are in occupation here, so the security of this place is in our hands,” he said.

He stressed that while personnel of the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies have key roles to play, primary responsibility for the security of Parliament rests with the Marshal Department, also known as the Sergeant-at-Arms.

“Please, we are not shifting responsibility to our brothers and sisters of the Police Service here. They have a key role to play… But the Marshal Department is the one that is in charge of the security of Parliament,” he clarified.

Speaker Bagbin charged the officers to perform their duties firmly but respectfully; confidently but without arrogance; and with absolute neutrality, impartiality, and loyalty to the institution of Parliament.

“You are here to serve all Members of Parliament, staff, and visitors equitably, treating every individual with profound respect regardless of their political background or status in life,” he said.

He warned that indiscipline, negligence, lateness, abuse of authority, and alcoholism would not be tolerated.

“In your professional outlook, how you dress, how you comfort yourself, and no alcohol. Once we come and we smell alcohol from you, I can assure you that, you will be disciplined, and on the third occasion you’ll be booted out. Take this seriously. You can do your clubbing and make sure that whatever remains after the club ends there, don’t transfer it to Parliament,” the Speaker warned.

He reminded them that they operate in a dynamic and volatile West African sub-regional security environment that demands constant vigilance and proactive defence.

“We live in a dynamic security environment within the West African sub-region where modern threats require constant awareness and proactive defence. In Ghana, while we cherish our peace, we cannot afford to lower our guard,” he said, quoting a Ghanaian proverb that “an attentive hunter does not get bitten by a snake in the bush.”

He therefore tasked the guards to remain hypervigilant and to strictly enforce access control protocols.

“The current security landscape demands strict enforcement of established access control and security protocols. Every visitor, staff member, and vehicle entering the precincts of Parliament must be handled with meticulous attention to detail,” he stressed.

The Speaker charged the officers to embrace continuous professional development in areas such as first aid, conflict de-escalation, and modern emergency response.

“Remember that your training does not end with this. You must embrace continuous professional development, first aid, conflict de-escalation, and modern emergency response. Please serve Parliament with respect for your chain of command, protect the dignity of this House, and remember that your service to Parliament is a service to the entire nation of Ghana,” he stated.

He noted that Ghana’s Marshal Department is the most respected in Africa, which is why it is consistently invited to take charge of security at the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa, and urged the new officers to uphold and enhance that reputation.

GNA