Prioritize our security – MPs

General News on Friday, June 14, 2019

Source: starrfm.com.gh

2019-06-14

Members of Ghana's parliament on Friday called for increased security following Thursday's suicide attempt by a 35-year-old man in the House of Laws.

Mr. Kojo Mensah was arrested after entering the public gallery with a rope that he tied around a chair and a leg threatened to jump from the first floor to his death.

He was wearing a nuclear plant jersey and reportedly arrived in Accra from Kwesimintim in the western region. He was flogged by security in the tribune and handed over to the police for further interrogation.

The suicide attempt once again highlighted laxity in the legislature's security architecture, prompting MPs to agitate to amplify their call for the need to strengthen security around the government. them and the room as a whole.

Deploring the loosening of the security of the House of Legislators, several MPs who spoke Thursday said they felt naked and exposed to injuries in the line of duty.

"The security architecture of Parliament is in question and, Mr. Speaker, we have had many good reason to complain and to draw attention to the fact that sometimes, even when you are in your office, all of a sudden, from your office trying to sell you donuts, "said MP Clement Buapa South, Dr. Clement Apaak.

"Yesterday only after the Chamber stood up, I was writing letters in my office and two gentlemen came into my office and when I asked them how they had access to my office, they did not know what they were saying. could not explain. Mr President, we are living in a very difficult time and we need to be much tougher in asking for security to be a priority, "he added.

However, in his response, the first vice-president, Joe Osei Owusu, criticized members of the House for not respecting the House's safety instructions.

At the same time, President Akufo-Addo described Ghana as the safest country in West Africa at a time when the country is becoming more and more cases of kidnappings , the latest being the kidnapping of two Canadian nationals.

Lauren Tilley and Bailey Chitty were rescued Wednesday by national security and police officers after being held hostage for a week in Kumasi.

Police found a bomb and 36 live ammunition at the crime scene where the two kidnapped Canadian nationals were detained.

Other offensive weapons, including two pairs of scissors, knives stained with blood and a piece of ripped jersey soaked with suspected blood have also been discovered.

Addressing the Legislative Assembly of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, June 12, President Akufo-Addo said that "in the world today, where the crime and terror are unfortunately part of daily life, I can say that Ghana is certainly the safest country in the West African region and remains one of the few places on the planet where we are not embarrbaded to see us themselves as holders. "