The President of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, Dr Ishmael Norman, has lauded the deployment of the military to Parliament after several hours of standoff between the Majority and Minority sides.
Speaking during a discussion on the happenings which took place in parliament after the dissolution of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic on Thursday, Dr Norman, who is also a security analyst, said the decision was the best at that time as it calmed down tempers in the House.
According to him, the situation could have been worse if the military had not been visible on the floor.
“I am happy the military came in to calm things down in Parliament. So, whoever deployed the military should be commended.”
His comment comes on the back of the standoff which happened between the members of the opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which held the proceedings to ransom, with the Clerk of Parliament unable to steer the affairs of electing the new speaker of Parliament.
During the happenings of the standoff, a dozen of military officers were seen trooping into the main chamber to ensure that there was calm in the chambers of parliament.
The House later calmed down to elect the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, which saw former Second Deputy Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin being elected as the new Speaker of Parliament, who won the elections with 138 votes against his only contender, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye who polled 136 votes.
Also speaking on the panel with regards to the happening in parliament, a private legal practitioner Justice Abdulai described the situation as the “most embarrassing moment” in Ghana’s democratic history.
Adding his voice to condemn the happenings is former President John Dramani Mahama, who said it was needless for the military to have invaded the Chamber when the 8th Parliament was being sworn in and a new speaker being elected.
In multiple tweets regarding proceedings in the House, Mr Mahama made calls for the the matter to be investigated and also condemned the attempt to snatch ballot papers by Tema West Member of Parliament Carlos Ahenkorah.
“The attempt to snatch ballot papers by the MP-elect for Tema West and the invasion of the chamber by armed military personnel are images one had never expected to see in our Fourth Republican Parliament.
“The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry and gives the impression that this administration is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. Parliament must conduct investigations into the two incidents and exact appropriate sanctions.”
He described also the happenings to have been both a great occasion for Ghana’s democracy and at the same time a day of infamy, which will go down as a low point in our democratic practice.
The flagbearer of the NDC, then congratulated Honorable Alban Bagbin on his election as the Speaker of the eighth parliament of the Fourth Republic adding that, he believes the election of the former NDC MP for Nadowli Kaleo is a clear indication of how dialogue and consensus can enhance Ghana’s democracy.
