The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, formally requested security assistance from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to ensure the smooth conduct of parliamentary business, effective yesterday October 22, 2024.
The request followed the Speaker’s remarks during parliamentary proceedings on October 17, 2024, responding to a call from the Minority Leader to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, referencing Articles 97 (1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution.
This issue has generated significant public discourse and heightened tensions within Parliament.
As Parliament convenes at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the Speaker has asked the GAF to implement specialized security measures, including canine and bomb sweeps of the chamber every Tuesday before sessions commence.
He expressed confidence in the GAF’s cooperation to maintain peace and order during parliamentary proceedings.
This development occurs in a politically charged atmosphere, marked by ongoing disputes over parliamentary seats and conflicting rulings from the Speaker and the Supreme Court.
Tensions remained high as both the NDC and NPP vie for majority control in Parliament.
In a recent statement, the GAF confirmed this request, rejecting media reports suggesting that their deployment was intended to interfere with parliamentary proceedings.
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