The National Security Ministry has stated categorically that soldiers do not form part of the security arrangement for the Speaker and Members of Parliament.
According to the Ministry in a statement, soldiers only come on a need-basis in accordance with stated state protocols.
The clarification follows the withdrawal of soldiers attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin through a communique by the Ghana Armed Forces.
The Ghana Armed Forces has explained that the attachment of the four Military officers did not follow proper procedure despite the officers serving since the speaker resume post in January 2021.
The officers are, WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Bonney Prince.
However, the National Security Ministry in response indicated the directive has been misinterpreted because the security of the Speaker is intact with no changes made to it.
“The Ministry of National Security would like to place on record that contrary to the aforesaid misrepresentations, all requisite resources including logistics and personnel required for full protection of the Speaker have been provided,” the statement noted.
Also, it placed on record that for the first time since 2017 the security arrangements for both the Speaker and members of Parliament have been “significantly enhanced”
The statement thus, schooled that parliamentary security support is solely provided by the Ghana Police Service.
To this regard, the office of the National Security entreated the general public to disregard any unfounded claims to that effect because “there has neither been a withdrawal of the security details of the Speaker nor a reduction in the security strength of Parliament.
