Opposition legislator, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said the reason assigned to the withdrawal of military guards attached to the Speaker of Parliament exposes the integrity of the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The North Tongu MP has questioned why it took the GAF one year to discover that the military personnel were not properly assigned to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
“If it takes a whole year for Ghana’s military high command to discover that their personnel have been deployed without ‘proper procedure’ to the Speaker’s office, what does that say about the state of security and integrity of leadership under Commander-in-Chief Akufo-Addo?
“Is the Rt. Hon. Speaker not better off without this kind of protection?
“Ultimately, the best form of protection can only be guaranteed by the people we serve and the Lord Almighty,” he posted on Facebook.
A surprise correspondence dated January 11, 2022, from the GAF’s Major General Andoh announced the withdrawal of the four military personnel attached to the Speaker of Parliament.
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The letter stated that the withdrawal of WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Bonney Prince has become necessary because they were detailed to the Speaker’s office without proper procedure.
“It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularize their attachment,” the letter dated January 11, 2021, stated.
Some social media comments about the withdrawal suggest it could be politically motivated to frustrate the Speaker for his outspoken opposition against some Executive decisions.