AT A GLANCE:
Majority Leader of Parliament insists personnel for parliament’s security are not members of the Invincible Forces
Minority NDC insists on background check of persons being recruited as they suspect they are members of the Invincible Forces
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu accuses the NDC MPs of being too partisan
Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has denied claims by some minority members that personnel being recruited for training as security in parliament are members of vigilante group, Invincible Forces, known affiliates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Some minority members including MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga; MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza Governs; and MP for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak; have allegedly gone on air to criticize the recruitment of security personnel for Parliament, saying those being recruited are members of the Invincible Forces.
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They insist that unless the backgrounds of individuals being recruited are made public, they cannot guarantee the safety of NDC MPs in parliament.
The minority members further argued that the policemen attached to parliament could do the work of those being recruited.
But speaking to the issue on Accra based Okay FM, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the NDC MPs were being too partisan on the issue and that their arguments were misplaced.
He stressed that the internal security of parliament rests with the Marshall Department.
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According to him, the Parliamentary Service Board sanctioned the recruitment of 50 people for the security department and about 23 had been recruited and trained.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said there are certain areas in parliament that police personnel cannot be stationed to work, particularly in the chamber and offices of MPs.
He said even before police services were provided to parliament as an institution in 2015, it had always relied on private security people for internal security and so the Minority must not unnecessarily politicize such recruitments.
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“What at all is wrong with the Minority? I think they have no case and have resorted to making baseless accusations when indeed they are aware of the dealings in parliament. Mahama Ayariga and co should just stop disgracing parliament” he said.