MPs Demand More Protection Ahead Of Nov. Polls

Some Members of Parliament have called on the Interior Minister to be hauled before the House to explain measures it has put in place to protect the lawmakers during the electioneering period.

The concern was raised by the MP for Effutu, Alex Afenyo-Markin in Parliament today [Friday].

He cited Thursday's murder of UK Labour MP , Jo Cox, as incidents that can occur in Ghana especially in the campaign season ahead of the November elections.

Afenyo-Markin said it is about time the state takes the security of MPs as a serious matter.“I am taking this opportunity and relying on this sad occasion to plead with the business committee to as urgently as possible, programme the Ministry of interior to come to this House for the necessary assurances as to how we are going to be protected. If I go to Winneba and an extremist decides to attack me are we going to be giving tributes upon tributes? Mr. Speaker, are you ready for tributes? Mr. Speaker there has been a programme for a joint conference for this to be considered but it has not been done,” he added.

Murder of JB Danquah
Afenyo-Markins plea comes months after the death of the MP for the Abuakwa North  Constituency, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu.

JB Danquah was murdered at his home in Accra allegedly by a teenager.

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Dan Botwe attacked
The MP for Okere, Dan Botwe, also escaped what he calls a near-death experience recently, when three armed robbers stormed his home at 12:30am, and held him and his wife hostage for nearly 45 minutes.

Calls for MPs protection
Following these developments, the MPs have intensified calls for hem to be secured.

Meanwhile, a new Police post has been established at the premises of Parliament to boost security in the area.

– citifmonline