The Ministry of National Security has denied reports of a withdrawal of security detail of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin.
According to the Ministry, there has neither been a withdrawal of the security detail for the Speaker nor a reduction in the security strength of Parliament and pointed out that personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces do not form part of the security detail for the Speaker and Parliament.
The Ministry stated in response to the circulation of ‘leaked correspondence’ between the office of the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Speaker of Parliament, on social media.
The content of the correspondence, the Ministry said, has been misinterpreted as an attempt by the Executive arm of government to deprive the Speaker of the resources required for his full protection.
It placed on record that contrary to the misinterpretation, all requisite resources including logistics and personnel required for the full protection of the Speaker have been provided.
“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,” the statement said.
The Ministry urged Ghanaians to, therefore, disregard any unfounded speculation to this effect.
The Army Chief of Staff on 11th January 2022 wrote to Parliament requesting the withdrawal of four military personnel serving as part of the security detail of the Speaker effective Friday 14th January 2021.
According to the Army, the officers were attached to the Speaker without proper procedure, and that efforts will be made to regularize their attachment.
Source: Mypublisher24.com