In a shocking revelation, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin expressed deep concerns about the porous security arrangements in Parliament, stating that lawmakers and staff are no longer safe within the parliamentary enclave.
“We are not safe. Sometimes people can come in and attack us or staff and anytime there is an attempt to apprehend them, they scale over the wall and escape into the forest,” he said, highlighting the ease with which security breaches are taking place.
Bagbin’s concerns were raised during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board for the ninth Parliament, where he emphasized the need to secure the parliamentary enclave to ensure the safety of members and staff.
“One of the challenges that need to be addressed is to secure the parliamentary enclave to ensure the safety of members and staff,” he stated.
The Speaker’s worries are not unfounded, as there have been instances where individuals have managed to breach the parliamentary grounds, posing a danger to those within the compound.
This has led to a growing sense of insecurity among lawmakers and staff, with Bagbin admitting that “this has been a worrying matter for Parliament for some time now, we are actually insecure here”.
Securing the parliamentary enclave is vital for the proper functioning of Parliament, as it directly affects the ability of lawmakers to carry out their duties without fear for their personal safety.
“This is vital for the functioning of parliament,” Bagbin emphasized.
To address the issue, Alban Bagbin expressed confidence that the Ninth Board of Parliament would work diligently to address the matter.
“I believe the ninth board will work assiduously to make this a reality,” he said, underlining the importance of resolving the security concerns swiftly.
In a call to action, Bagbin urged the leaders of the house to take immediate action in following up on the security matter.
“I will call on the leaders of the house to follow up on this matter,” he said.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
