The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongue Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has berated the government over heavy security deployment to Parliament House as President Akufo Addo delivers the state of the Nation’s Address Tuesday, January 5, 2020.
Additionally, the Police Service has announced 6000 security officials will be deployed for the inauguration of President-elect Akufo-Addo on Thursday.
The security personnel will include officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, a statement by the Police service said
The MP has described the deployment as Gestapo and despotic ostensibly to intimidate the minority in Parliament.
“What really is the essence of the needless, excessive, Gestapo and despotic security deployment to Parliament House when our Standing Orders are clear in Order 30 as quoted below:
“The following acts or conduct shall constitute a breach of privilege or contempt of Parliament –
I) causing or affecting the arrest of a Member or officer of Parliament during the proceedings of Parliament or in the course of his duties;
J) Molestation of Members or officers in connection with the performance of their duties in or out of Parliament;
L) Attempted intimidation by threats of Members in the conduct of their duties”
The Lawmaker says “Parliament as the bastion of democratic freedoms must at all times reflect what is beautiful about representative democracy devoid of ugly intimidation by threat of force which is the hallmark of tyrants and dictators”
Okudzeto Ablakwa warn the Police “let those few service commanders impetuously pursuing misguided instructions be informed that per the Standing Orders of Parliament they are in contempt of Parliament and shall be in even more trouble if they attempt to arrest or molest any Member of Parliament as we carry out our legitimate constitutional duties.
The people of Ghana including my beloved constituents of North Tongu did not vote for cowards. We refuse to be intimidated and we are determined to stand up against this affront to the dignity of Parliament and the good people we represent.
That said; let us all be mindful of the erosion of our hitherto sterling democratic credentials and the terrible precedents being set today.
True democrats seek refuge in the legitimacy offered by the masses and not in the deceptive protection offered by guns and armored vehicles”.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
