STC Chief Executive Officer, Nana Akomea, has vehemently kicked against the assignment of Military officers to guard the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin or any Speaker that will be appointed into the House of Legislature in the country.
Nana Akomea found it abysmal for the Speaker to have soldiers to be part of his security detail when he already is being guarded by twelve (12) Police officers.
The withdrawal of the Military bodyguards of Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has courted controversies with the Majority and Minority in Parliament coming at each other.
Minority's argument
The Minority, in a statement, expressed disgust over the government's withdrawal of the soldiers saying they are "saddened and strongly denounce the withdrawal by President Akufo-Addo’s government of the military detail attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin with effect from the 14th of January, 2022. It is pertinent to note that the only reason given for the shameful withdrawal of Mr Speaker’s security detail is that the attachment was done without following the proper procedure''.
They added; ''Curiously, the government fails and/or omits to spell out the procedure for the attachment of military personnel to high profile personalities such as the Speaker of Parliament.
If the action of the military high command is in good faith, the irregularity in relation to the attachment could be rectified without necessarily having to withdraw the personnel . . . the minority is certain that the action of the military high command relative to the withdrawal of Mr Speaker’s security detail is politically motivated and calculated to diminish his confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government.''
Majority claps back
But to the Majority, the Speaker's position makes him a neutral person, therefore the statement that seeks to say the withdrawal of the Military bodyguards politically motivated is ridiculous.
“The statement from the Speaker's office emphasises that the withdrawal of the military personnel is an attempt to gag Mr. Bagbin. It is difficult to comprehend the meaning of this. Speakers are supposed to be neutral umpires or referees in Parliament. They are supposed to listen to Members in silence and not participate in debates.
“They make rulings when called upon to do so by Members. The rulings must conform to the Rules of Procedure of the House otherwise referred to as Standing Orders. In that regard the Speakers lose their persona whilst presiding. Therefore, what voice does the Speaker have that is being muted or gagged?” portions of Majority's statement read.
Nana Akomea Descends On Speaker
To Nana Akomea, the Speaker even having 12 Police officers is unreasonable, not to talk of him being guarded by four additional Military personnel.
He questioned the logic in the Speaker enjoying the latitude of Military protection.
''You have stayed in Parliament for about 20 or 30 years and today you are a Speaker, then you have 12 Police officers for your security and then you write for four (4) soldiers to be added to it which was also done for you. That means, for you and your office alone, you have 12 Police officers plus 4 Military officers; what at all are these for? For what? Protection? Against who?'', he exclaimed while speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Tuesday morning.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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