No Bodyguard, No Car, Thorough Screening: Parliament tightens security ahead of Tuesday's 'showdown' sitting

The Parliament of Ghana has announced measures to tighten security ahead of its sitting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

In a press statement signed by Frederick Bawa, a Deputy Marshall of Parliament, explained that the measures aim to ensure the safety and security of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Suman Bagbin, MPs, and staff.

1. “As part of measures put in place to ensure the safety and security of the Rt Hon Speaker, MPs, and staff, Honourable Members are respectfully requested to take note of the following:

a. “ALL MPs, staff, and members of the press will be thoroughly screened before entry into the Chamber. b.” Bodyguards of MPs will NOT be permitted in the Chamber.

c. “Vehicles will NOT be allowed to park around the Grand Arena. d. MPs are to be dropped at the designated drop-off zones within the precincts of AICC,” part of the statement said.

The statement continued, “e. The Ghana Police Service will provide directions to the designated drop-off zone.

f. “MPs are requested to wear their parliamentary identification tags. g. Access to the Chamber will be from 0800hrs. h. The public will not be allowed access to the public gallery until further notice.

1. “Respectfully counting on the cooperation of all.”

The security measures follow a legal tussle between the parliamentarians over who becomes the Minority following a legal dispute.

This follows the Supreme Court order to freeze Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four seats in the House as vacant.

On October 18, 2024, the Supreme Court of Ghana stayed the ruling of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, regarding the vacation of some four seats. This was after the highest court of the land, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, heard an application by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament.

The decision by the apex court effectively suspends the implementation of the Speaker’s ruling on October 17, 2024, pending further legal review and final determination.

The court indicated that the decision of the Speaker was depriving the four constituencies of representation in Parliament. It also indicated that Bagbin’s decision would likely lead to the alleged thwarting of government business in Parliament and plunge the management of the country’s affairs into possible disruptions.

It added that the declaration by the Speaker raises real questions of constitutional interpretation and the application of the most fundamental and democratic rights of Ghanaians, being the right to be represented and heard in Parliament through their elected representatives.

Bagbin had granted a motion by the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to declare some four seats vacant. Delivering his ruling, the Speaker noted that the decision by the affected MPs to contest in the December 7, 2024, election as independents or on the ticket of a party different from the party on whose ticket they currently serve, contravened Article 97 (g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution.

He noted that the motive and operational effect of Article 97(g) and (h) was to address the issues of cross-carpeting and defection as witnessed in parliaments of old. He stated that the intent of Article 97 (g) (i) was to ensure party loyalty throughout the stay of an MP in Parliament.

He emphasized that the affected MPs, by their decision and the Notice of Polls issued by the Electoral Commission for the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections, have vacated their seats.

The affected seats and their MPs include Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

AM/KA

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