Some Members of Parliament are calling for increased security for Ghana’s legislators in the wake of terrorist attacks close to UK’s parliament which led to five deaths.
Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin raised the issue in the House on Friday, March 24.
He noted: “Parliament as an organ of state requires some level of protection and the security of this house is as important as the security of the judiciary and the executive. As a matter of fact, not less than 500 police officers provide security for the judiciary; for the executive I am unable to tell, but I believe they are sufficiently covered. If you come to parliament, the situation is different and I think it is important that this is brought to the attention of the House considering what happened three days ago in the UK… I don’t think we have to wait for an unpalatable situation to occur before we take steps.”
Terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in Westminster but the prime suspect was a Kent-born 52-year-old man identified as Khalid Masood.
The attack left 50 people injured, with 31 receiving hospital treatment. Two are in critical condition; one has life-threatening injuries.
Some legislators, therefore, believe that the security of lawmakers in the country need to be heightened in view of the global threats.
Responding to the issue in parliament, Deputy Majority Leader Adwoa Safo assured that authorities had put in place stringent measures to ensure heightened security.
“This issue is well noted. Many of us share similar sentiments that the security within the premises of parliament needs to be tightened so that we all feel secure… Leadership has taken note of those concerns and we will work together to ensure tighter security,” she assured.
Source:Ghana/AccraFM.com
