Restore military security for Bagbin – Wa East MP charges Defence, National Security ministers

The Member of Parliament for Wa East Constituency, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has called on the Ministers for Defence and National Security to restore the security arrangements originally put in place for the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, without any further delay.

This follows communication of withdrawal of soldiers assigned to the Office of the Rt. Hon. Speaker in a letter dated 11th January 2022 and signed by Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh.

The letter read: “It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14th January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment.”

However, subsequent revelation from the Clerk of Parliament showed that all steps and procedure for assignment of soldiers to Mr Speaker were followed.

In view of this, Dr Jasaw is urging ‘’the Ministers to take urgent steps to restore the soldiers immediately.’’

The officers, WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Prince Bonney were assigned to the Office of the Speaker since the assumption of office by Rt. Hon. Speaker Bagbin in January 2021 and they have since provided watertight security for him.

With a hung Parliament and recent tension in Parliament, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, believes the withdrawal of the military detail will compromise the safety and security of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament.

Mr Jasaw stated that, this unique 8th Parliament requires that special arrangements are in place to preserve the security and safety of the Speaker of Parliament, hence the withdrawal of the men is needless and calculated to put Mr Speaker at high risk.

According to Mr Jasaw, the withdrawal of the military detail of Alban Bagbin reflects a deliberate denigration and weakening of state institutions under the Akufo-Addo-led government; further reinforcing the confrontational nature of the President.

He added: “The actions by the President are a direct affront to the 1992 Constitution and only meant to erode public confidence in our democracy. It is therefore no surprise that Ghana’s rank on the World Democracy Index 2020 reduced from 54^th position with score of 6.75 in 2016 to 59^th position with score of 6.50 in 2020.”

“I reiterate the position of the Leader of the Minority Group that, we shall hold the President, Defence and National Security Ministers accountable for any breach to the security and safety of the Speaker of Parliament.”

The Wa East MP made these remarks during a tour of his Constituency to assess various developmental projects as part of his official duties.