Withdrawal of the Speaker’s military attachment calculated to diminish his confidence – Minority

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The Minority in Parliament has asserted that the withdrawal of military attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is an attempt by the government to diminish the Speaker’s confidence in the discharge of his duties.

In a letter to Parliament, GAF asked for the withdrawal of four soldiers offered to the Office of the Speaker who have been working there since January 2021. The GAF indicated that the attachment was done without “proper procedure.”

A statement from the Ministry of National Security also said, “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.”

However, the Minority in Parliament does not find the explanations justifiable.

According to Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, “The Minority in Parliament is saddened and strongly denounces 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 January, 2022.”

The Minority also believes there is something fishy about the sudden withdrawal and they suspect it has to do with the discharge of the Speaker’s duties.

“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.”

“In the circumstances, the minority shall hold the government of President Akufo Addo responsible should the security of Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin, the speaker of Parliament be compromised in any way.”