U/W MPs demand answers from gov’t over Bagbin’s security concerns

The Upper West Region caucus in Parliament is concerned the government seems to have ignored explanation on the withdrawal of the military from the security detail of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

According to the MPs, most of whom are of the Minority Caucus, all the security tenets regarding the sanctity of the security arrangement of the Speaker were breached following the publication of the changes by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

“Essentially for every public figure security is crucial and must be taken seriously,” a statement read on behalf of the MPs by Wa Central’s Dr Rashid Pelpuo said.

“An important issue which comes to play here is that the security provided for a public figure in any of the three arms of Government is not compromised either by subjecting the security arrangement to full public knowledge and or to reduce the adequacy of the security package to the disadvantage of the officer. In the case of the Speaker all these security tenets were breached.

“This inspires our deep concern about the apparent inaction by Government to address the issue despite some worries expressed variously by the public on the withdrawal of the Military security from the official security set up of the Speaker.”

Read the full statement below:

UW MPs React to Government inaction on security concerns of the Speaker

Ladies and gentlemen and our media friends gathered here, we have come here at this hour to add our voice to those of the many Ghanaians, and especially the genuine concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament, in reactions to the security issues of the Rt Honorable Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, upon the government unilateral withdrawal of part of his Security details.

Essentially for every public figure security is crucial and must be taken seriously.

An important issue which comes to play here is that the security provided for a public figure in any of the three arms of Government is not compromised either by subjecting the security arrangement to full public knowledge and or to reduce the adequacy of the security package to the disadvantage of the officer. In the case of the Speaker all these security tenets were breached

This inspires our deep concern about the apparent inaction by Government to address the issue despite some worries expressed variously by the public on the withdrawal of the Military security from the official security set up of the Speaker

Like any of the leaders of the three arms of Government it is our belief that the security of the Speaker is of paramount concern to the people of Ghana and requires the Government to rise to the responsibility of adequately addressing the present lapse.
The lack of sufficient response by the government to the present situation is generating worry and compelling this briefing. We seek to urge the Government to give adequate response to the worry expressed by the myriads of public opinions expressed and to satisfy the complete security need of the Speaker if even it will require the reinstatement of the withdrawn military team

It is our expectation that matters of security must be handled expeditiously with adequate consultation and discussion away from public concerns.

We thank you for your attention.