New security scanners have been installed at Parliament as part of efforts to boost security at the House.
Everybody including the Speaker, members of Parliament, media personnel, and visitors are expected to go through the scanners before being allowed into the Chamber of Parliament.
Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin on the morning of Wednesday 16th November, 2022 tried the new system by going through the security scanners.
The Speaker informed the House of the installation of the new scanning equipment afterwards and stressed it is absolutely obligatory and compulsory for all members who intend to enter the Chamber of Parliament to pass through the scanners.
He said, “I repeat, it is compulsory for all members including me, the Speaker to pass through the machines and be scanned before we enter the Chamber of Parliament.”
“All strangers who intend coming to the public gallery or to the press gallery or to the important visitors’ gallery are all, to pass through the scanning machines.”
Speaker Bagbin stressed it is for the good of MPs and all those who have cause to visit Parliament that the new security rules are being implemented.
“So please, starting from tomorrow (Thursday 17th November 2022), any person who is not willing to pass through that equipment will definitely not be allowed to enter this Chamber,” he warned.
In a related development, tension is simmering between the media and the House as new security rules being implemented prevent journalists from entering the Chamber with their mobile phones.
An initial directive on the new rules was subsequently watered down but journalists insists it is still prohibitive as all phones are to be on airplane mode while in the Chamber.
Incidentally, these phones have become invaluable tools for journalists who rely on them not only as communication devices to keep in constant touch with the office for live reports but have also become recording devices for both audio and video and for quickly typing stories.
A meeting has been scheduled between the executives of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) and the Director of Public Affairs and the Marshall to find common ground to ensure the media does not get blacked out of performing their duties in Parliament.
