Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye reveals he was never offered military protection

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Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye has debunked
reports that he was given military protection while serving the 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic as Speaker

Prof Oquaye indicated that the reports are false and should be dismissed.

“My attention has been drawn to media reportage that I, Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye, was given military protection while I was the Speaker of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

“I wish to categorically state that this is palpable false. I was never offered Military protection nor did I request for any. I had only three policemen to move with me and provide security at all material times.

“This information can be easily verified by anyone who cares for the truth at the office of the Clerk-to-Parliament at any given time.

“I will pray that my name is left out of this media discourse on military protection and call upon all discerning Ghanaians to disregard any misleading reportage on the same.”

This came up after the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has said in a previous
statement that the four soldiers who have been withdrawn from the Office of the Speaker of Parliament were attached to that particular office without proper procedure.

This resulted in the decision to withdraw them while efforts are being made to regularize their attachment.

“The under-named military personnel were attached to the Office of the Rt Honourable Speaker of Parliament without the proper procedure,” the statement signed by the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, NP Andoh to the Speaker said.

“It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularize their attachment.”

Member of Parliament for Banda and Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, responding to this, claimed that the removal of the soldiers was on the orders of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, a member of the Defense Committee said the reports of the withdrawal came as a shock to the Minority in Parliament.

“This came to us a great shock,” he said, adding that “this is the time we all need to come together to work on security.

“We are surprised as a minority to hear the government withdrawing the
military detachment of the speaker. The speaker is number three; even the EC chair is using about ten Military personnel. So if the Speaker duly requested for four and they have been on duty for over one year, the question is what has changed? It raises security questions.”

He added “It is president Akufo-Addo who has withdrawn the military detachment, he is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The Minority will meet on Monday.”