Ghana's MPs revive call for security after London terror attacks

The age-long issue about security for Ghana’s Members of Parliament has been resuscitated following a recent terrorist attack at the London Parliament which claimed five lives and injured scores.

MP for Efutu in the Central Region Afenyo Markins is worried the porous security in Ghana’s Parliament exposes members to similar attacks.

Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, Friday, the MP does not understand why “all manner of people have access to the corridors of Parliament.”

Particularly when the members of the Judiciary as well as the Executive have security personnel protecting not just the facilities but the officials involved, Markins believe Parliament, which is the second arm of government, deserves as much protection and security as other arms.

This is not the first time MPs are raising issues about their security. Last year, the Abuakwa North Member of Parliament Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, was stabbed to death at his residence at Shiashie in Accra.

A number of MPs waged a campaign for the state to consider offering protection for them, a police man to each for the 275 MPs.

But that proposal has yet to be considered. A terrorist attack in London on Wednesday, has reignited the whole debate for security for Ghana’s MPs.

Five people are believed to have died in what has been christened terror on Westmister Bridge. At least 50 others have been left injured in the attacks close to the London Parliament.

Ghana’s MPs believe the Akufo-Addo government must take a cue from this attack and offer security to MPs in Ghana.

“All manner of individuals come in Parliament and go. I do not think we have to wait for something to happen first before we act,” Afenyo Markins said.

Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent Joseph Opoku Gakpo reported the leadership of Parliament as saying the house is committed to providing security to the MPs.

The Deputy Majority Leader Adwoa Sarfo, said there has been some improvement in the security of Parliament and cited a number of check points with routine searches on visitors to Parliament.

She however admitted that more has to be done to protect MPs.

credit:myjoyonline