Scrap Department of National Security s' he will not submit to Parliament – Agalga

General News on Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Source: citinewsroom.com

2018-11-28

Minority spokesman for defense and the interior, James Agalga, calls for the Minister of National Security to be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

In addition, the legislator said that President Nana Akufo-Addo could just as easily give up the portfolio of the Minister of National Security, held by Albert Kan Dapaah.

Speaking to Parliament Tuesday during the budget debate, Agalga said the Minister of National Security had not informed Parliament, despite the need for periodic briefings. This, he says, has led to uncertainty about exactly what the department does.

"There is no doubt that the department is subject to the scrutiny and oversight of Parliament. I urge President Akufo-Addo; If it is not the intention that this ministry be subject to the control of Parliament, it should force it to remove it immediately. "

"After all, under the administration headed by John Mahama, there was no ministry known as the Ministry of National Security," he added.

A year ago, the minority threatened to boycott the process of approving the allocation made in the 2018 budget to the national security of the country put in place following complaints of non-compliance with the provisions of the law on the management of public finances.

The law requires the regular submission of intelligence reports on the security situation in the country to Parliament.

In March, the minority demanded that the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, be required to submit his annual report to the House in accordance with the Intelligence and Security Agencies Act.

Speaking to Parliament, the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, admitted that successive governments had broken the law.

The law states that a president must badign ministerial responsibility to the intelligence services to a minister that the president considers appropriate.

The Minister responsible for responsibilities reports annually to Parliament on the intelligence services.