Speaker Alban Bagbin
The Ministry of National Security has debunked claims of a withdrawal of the security detail for the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, calling on the public to disregard any unfounded speculation to this effect.
According to the ministry, all requisite resources, including logistics and personnel required for the full protection of the Speaker have been provided.
A statement released by the ministry over the weekend, said it had taken note of the circulation of a leaked correspondence between the office of the Chief of Staff, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Speaker of Parliament, on social media.
“Subsequently, the content of the correspondence has been misinterpreted as an attempt by the Executive arm of government to deprive the Speaker of the resources required for his full protection,” the statement indicated.
“The Ministry of National Security would like to place on record that, contrary to the aforesaid misinterpretation, all requisite resources including logistics and personnel required for the full protection of the Speaker have been provided,” it stressed.
The statement added that “it is worth noting that for the first time since 2017, the security arrangements for both the Speaker and Members of Parliament have been significantly enhanced.”
“It also needs stating that 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.”
The Security Ministry said any need for specific agency support is typically executed on a need-basis in accordance with stated protocols.
“To reiterate, there has neither been a withdrawal of the security detail for the Speaker nor a reduction in the security strength of Parliament. The good people of Ghana are, therefore, entreated to disregard any unfounded speculation to this effect,” the statement concluded.
Initial Propaganda
Four officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) were withdrawn from the Speaker’s security detail amid claims of improper procedure to their deployment.
The military personnel included 190195 WOI Jafaru Bunwura, 193211 WOII Apugiba Awine David, 198083 S/Sgt Agbley Prosper, and 201021 Sgt Bonney Prince.
In a letter dated January 11, 2022 and addressed to the Speaker, Chief of Staff of the GAF, Major General NP Andoh said the soldiers “were attached to the Office of the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament without the proper procedure.”
“It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from January 14, 2022 whiles efforts are made to regularise their attachment,” the letter indicated further.
Immediately the letter hit social media, the NDC activated its propaganda machine and started attacking the NPP Administration, saying the government was stripping Mr. Bagbin of his security and putting him in danger.
They then threw in a statement as purportedly coming from the Office of the Speaker saying “the attempt to strip the Speaker off security protection is untenable.”
“In a country that takes pride in its democratic institutions and processes, the decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to the Speaker detracts from the political gains that Ghana has made, and is a bad precedent,” the widely shared statement indicated.
According to the statement, the “unknown reason” for the withdrawal of the military personnel is “puzzling, but the real motive should be obvious to all objective observers of the political scene in Ghana.”
“If it is an attempt to gag the Speaker, this move will serve to only widen the gap between the legislature and the other arms of government. It also hints at the possibility of a plot to place the safety and security of the Speaker in harm’s way,” the statement said.
It claimed Ghanaians yearned for an effective separation of powers as well as checks and balances, and therefore, voted to have a hung Parliament.
“They are looking for a lot more consultation, consensus building and dialogue. This move contrasts with that and certainly is a bad precedent,” it posited, adding, “In decisions such as these, we must ensure that we are guided by the overall interest of this country and the sustenance of our democracy and its institutions.”
New Letter
In the ensuing propaganda, another letter from the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril K. O. Nsiah, appearing to respond to the military high command, popped up in which the Speaker had requested that S/Sgt. Adekurah Andrew, who is one of the officers being attached to the Speaker’s Office, to be replaced with S/Sgt Apugiba Awine David of 1Bn.
The letter dated January 21, 2021 said, “the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon Alban SK Bagbin presents his compliments to the Chief of Defence of the Ghana Armed Forces.”
“With reference to our letter PC/CS/112/20 dated January 18, 2021 in respect of the aforementioned subject, the Speaker has requested that 196624 S/Sgt Adekurah Andrew be replaced with 193211 S/Sgt Apugiba Awine David of 1Bn.”
It continued, “the four soldiers therefore are 190195 WO II Jafaru Bunwura (3Bn), 193211 S/Sgt Apugiba Awine David (1Bn), 190083 Sgt Agbley Prosper (ACTS) and 201021 Cpl. Bonney Prince (ACTS).”
By Ernest Kofi Adu