Security Analyst, Samuel Owusu says the absence of intelligence communication between the Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is what has caused confusion as to who forms part of the Speaker of Parliament’s security detail.
He expressed concern over reasons why the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin will be assigned a Military detail for over a year only for them to be withdrawn with the excuse he (Alban Bagbin) does not qualify to have a Military detail.
On his accord, the letter from Parliament requesting a Military security detail from the GAF never got to the public “so how come the letter recalling them did? My concern is if we keep on leaking such documents it will create a wrong impression in the public eye.”
Although by constitutional and legal rights the Speaker of Parliament does not qualify to have a Military detail for security, “there are conventions in the country where under some circumstances the Military augments the duty of the Police be it at a Chief’s Palace or the home of an Executive Office holder.”
In his professional opinion, Samuel Owusu notes the letter recalling the Speaker’s Military detail should not have reached the public as he expected the National Security Ministry and the GAF to have dealt with the matter quietly.
“If we want to correct any wrong, we should do it in a proper and nice way which will not bring any form of acrimony and affect the security of the Speaker. The communication and processes that have brought all these lacked some intelligence in handling the situation,” he shared with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show.
The Ghana Armed Forces has withdrawn military personnel attached to the security detail of the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for his protection.
A letter from the Ghana Armed Forces to the Speaker said the officers were deployed without proper procedure. The soldiers have been with the Speaker since January 2021 when he assumed office.
The letter further noted the deployment will be regularized after their withdrawal. It however did not indicate timelines for the redeployment.
A letter from the Ministry of National Security however states despite the withdrawal of four soldiers serving the office of the Speaker of Parliament, he still has security protection.
“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,” a statement from the ministry said.
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