Your opaque letter for ‘withdrawal’ of Speaker’s army bodyguards not enough- Security Expert to CDS

“The manner the Speaker’s military bodyguards were withdrawn, raises more questions, we must first know the reasons for their assignment, the conditions under which they were deployed, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) should tell us the reasons for this sudden withdrawal of the four military officers because the letter accompanying the withdrawal is opaque and that gives room room for people to read political meanings to the decision. There is a standard way of going about decisions such as this to avoid any political meaning to it. The letter we’ve seen, leaves much questions to be desired, they could have done better, the earlier CDS explain this latest decision, the better for all of us, the Ghanaian people deserve adequate explanation to settle the matter and the issue can’t be left hanging”,  Fraud and Security Consultant Richard Kumadoe has urged the Chief of Defence Staff.

Speaker Bagbin fights back withdrawal of bodyguards

The Office of the Speaker of Parliament has expressed disquiet over the unknown rationale for the removal of four the military personnel assigned to protect him.

The effort was portrayed as an attempt to rob the Speaker of his immunity, which the office feels is unworkable.

The decision to remove the soldiers, according to the office, sets a poor precedent, and it’s even more concerning since the cause is unclear.

“In a country that takes pride in its democratic institutions and processes, the decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to the Speaker detracts from the political gains that Ghana has made, and is a bad precedent. The unknown reason for such a move is puzzling, but the real motive should be obvious to all objective observers of the political scene in Ghana.”

The Speaker’s office added that the decision to withdraw the four military guards places the Speaker in harms way.

“If it is an attempt to gag the Speaker, this move will serve to only widen the gap between the legislature and the other arms of government. It also hints at the possibility of a plot to place the safety and security of the Speaker in harm’s way.”

Since Bagbin became Speaker in January 2021, the officers WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper, and Sgt Bonney Prince have been serving in his office.

According to a letter from the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, NP Andoh, to the Speaker of Parliament last week, the five men were assigned “without proper procedure”.

However, Bagbin’s office warned the military high command about the decision, urging it to be guided by the wider national interest.

Below is the statement from the office of the Speaker of Parliament

RT. HON. SPEAKER, ALBAN S.K. BAGBIN, STRIPPED OFF SECURITY COVER

The office of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has taken note of the withdrawal of four military officers posted to assist in the protection of the Speaker. The attempt to strip the Speaker off security protection is untenable. In a country that takes pride in its democratic institutions and processes, the decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to the Speaker detracts from the political gains that Ghana has made, and is a bad precedent.

The unknown reason for such a move is puzzling, but the real motive should be obvious to all objective observers of the political scene in Ghana. If it is an attempt to gag the Speaker, this move will serve to only widen the gap between the legislature and the other arms of government. It also hints at the possibility of a plot to place the safety and security of the Speaker in harm’s way.

The citizens of this country yearned for an effective separation of powers as well as check and balance, and voted to have a hung Parliament. They are looking for a lot more consultation, consensus building and dialogue. This move contrasts with that and certainly is a bad precedent.

In decisions such as these, we must ensure that we are guided by the overall interest of this country and the sustenance of our democracy and its institutions.

The unknown reason for such a move is puzzling, but the real motive should be obvious to all objective observers of the political scene in Ghana. If it is an attempt to gag the Speaker, this move will serve to only widen the gap between the legislature and the other arms of government. It also hints at the possibility of a plot to place the safety and security of the Speaker in harm’s way.

The citizens of this country yearned for an effective separation of powers as well as check and balance, and voted to have a hung Parliament. They are looking for a lot more consultation, consensus building and dialogue. This move contrasts with that and certainly is a bad precedent.

In decisions such as these, we must ensure that we are guided by the overall interest of this country and the sustenance of our democracy and its institutions.

Government Reacts

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces’ decision to remove the Speaker of Parliament’s military attachment has been denounced by the government as an attempt to suffocate his security.

Reacting to the development, the Ministry of National Security said soldiers are not to be part of the Speaker’s security detail and therefore Ghanaians to disregard the unfounded allegations from the office of the Speaker.

“It is worth noting that for the first time since 2017, the security arrangements for both the Speaker and Members of Parliament have been significantly enhanced.

“It also needs stating that 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. Any need for specific agency support is typically executed on a need-basis in accordance with stated protocols. To reiterate, there has neither been a withdrawal of the security detail for the Speaker nor a reduction in the security strength of Parliament. The good people of Ghana are, therefore, entreated to disregard any unfounded speculation to this effect”.

Source: africaneditors.com