The Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensa Bonsu, has alluded that the inability to protect lawmakers affects the country’s image and may cast a slur on the overall view of Ghana as an investor friendly nation, which might affect the direction of the growth of the economy.
Saddened by the gruesome murder of the Mfantseman MP, Mr. Kyei-Mensa Bonsu pointed out that though Ghana is still lurking behind in terms of the ratio between the police and the citizenry as indicated in the index of the United Nations, it is imperative that protection is offered to persons who are politically exposed, making the members of parliament a no exception.
In furtherance, the majority leader in parliament bemoaned the media’s antagonistic stance when issues about special security for MPs are raised on the floor of Parliament. Opining that the media’s position on such issues undermines the need for an enhanced security detail for MPs. “That’s why sometimes, I find it disturbing when partners in our democratic governance, members of the fourth realm, sometimes people pouring cold waters in the call that occasionally we make and people making it appear as if, we consider members of parliament as special breed and that is why we are asking for security.” he lamented.
Osei Kyei-Mensa Bonsu, however, posited that the level of security is determined by the strength of a country’s economy.
Building on an analysis, the ranking member for Defense and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga opined that police civilian ratio should be improved noting that, the Members of Parliament are 275 in number but, the number taken into consideration for protection is half of 275 members because, some MP’s are a part of the executive arm of government. He, however, stated that providing MPs with security is something that can be down in a twinkle of an eye yet, efforts have not been made.
“We have had assurances time without number that, the police population ration needs to be improved upon. This government told us that they were going to recruit 4000 additional hands. So, if they have recruited 4000 additional hands, why can’t we allocate say,100 because like I said before, close to half of the members in parliament already have protection because, they also belong to the executive arm of government. That is not too much to ask for.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman for Defense and Interior Committee, Seth Acheampong, nodded in agreements the arguments made by Osei Kyei-Mensa Bonsu and James Agalga.
Revealing a key ace under the sleeves of politicians to fight the prevailing crime against the nation’s political leaders, Seth Acheampong noted that the series of murders should be tackled not as a political rhetoric but, must be collectively dealt with head on. “If you have listened across, everybody speaking to crime, is speaking to the issues and that is how I want everyone to look at it,” he stated.
The concerns to beef up security follow the recent murder of Ekow Quansah Hayford, MP for Mfantseman constituency by armed robbers on the Mankessim Road on his return from a campaign trip. He was shot twice, leading to his untimely demise.
It is however, unsettling to note that Ekow Quansah Hayford is not the only MP to have died from a robbery in recent times.
In 2016, MP for Abuakwa North constituency, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu was assassinated after some assailants gained access to his house, entered his bedroom and stabbed him to death.
