The Member of Defense and Interior Committee in Parliament, Peter Lanchene Toobu has called on the government to set a standard in handling security of high profile persons in the country.
Speaking to Francis Abban on Morning Starr, Mr. Toobu disclosed that security details are recommended based on security assessments adding that varying the Speaker of Parliament’s security situation whiles he is in office is unconstitutional.
According to him, the Speaker made a formal request that was accepted and if there should be any changes he must end his tenure first.
Peter Toobu stated that the withdrawal of Military guards of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin is dangerous and an insult to Ghana’s democracy.
“And don’t deal with Ghana’s number 3 as if the number is just a common number, it is not. There are many people who do not have numbers yet you have soldiers following them. What kind of irregularity is this? It is shameful.”
The Member of Parliament for Wa West Constituency mentioned that Prof. Mike Ocquaye used military anytime he is moving around, so Mr. Bagbin’s situation is not new.
“The security detail of the Speaker should not be varied to his disadvantage, which is also unconstitutional anyway. Because you can’t vary someone’s privileges to his disadvantage while the person is still in office. It doesn’t happen.
“If we don’t stop there and continue to throw our long political arms into matters of professionalism among these serious State institutions like the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces our democracy will soon become a laughing stock in Africa,” he added.
Mr. Toobu said the current situation of Parliament requires some skill in order to make meaningful progress as a nation, “fortunately for us, the 8th Parliament is very different from all the other 7 Parliaments. The 8th Parliament is a hung Parliament 137 MPs for the NDC 137 for the NPP in government and one independent MP.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Isaac Dzidzoamenu
