The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has issued a stern memorandum to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, expressing deep concern over what it describes as a troubling pattern of disregard for parliamentary protocols by national security and intelligence agencies.
In the memorandum signed by the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Annor-Dompreh, the Caucus decried recent incidents in which the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) allegedly ignored established directives governing the engagement of Members of Parliament (MPs) in investigations or security-related matters.
The memorandum, dated April 9, 2025, cited specific instances where MPs were allegedly targeted without adherence to protocols. Of particular note was an attempt by the NIB to arrest Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee. According to the document, the attempt occurred at the MP’s residence on April 9, following a press address delivered in his parliamentary capacity.
The Minority leadership emphasized that these actions directly contravened guidance issued by the Speaker on April 2, 2025, which reinforced existing constitutional protocols, particularly Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution.
These articles stipulate the privileges and immunities of MPs and require that any engagement with them by security agencies be conducted through appropriate parliamentary channels.
“This is not only a violation of parliamentary procedures but an affront to the dignity and sanctity of our legislative institution,” the memorandum stated. “Such actions undermine the authority of the Speaker and threaten the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.”
The Minority Caucus urged the Speaker to take urgent action by reaffirming earlier directives and engaging with national security heads to prevent further violations. They called for future interactions with MPs to be carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions and parliamentary decorum.
“This pattern of non-compliance must be addressed decisively to preserve the respect and independence of Parliament,” the memorandum concluded.
The development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the legislative arm and national security apparatus, with the Minority Caucus insisting on the inviolability of parliamentary privileges as a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic governance.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
