Parliament has ramped up security measures for all sessions starting Tuesday, October 22, in response to the ongoing debate surrounding the constitutional status of four parliamentary seats.
This decision comes after recent political and legal developments, where Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson challenged the validity of these seats under Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution.
On October 17, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the seats vacant, but the Supreme Court intervened the following day, temporarily suspending the ruling and allowing the MPs to continue their duties until a final verdict is reached.
To safeguard the Speaker, MPs, and staff during these sensitive times, Parliament announced enhanced security measures in a press release signed by Frederick Bawa (retired), the Deputy Marshall of Parliament.
These steps include strict screening of all MPs, staff, and journalists before they enter the Chamber. Bodyguards will also be prohibited from entering the Chamber during the sessions.
In addition, parking restrictions will be enforced around the Grand Arena, with MPs required to use designated drop-off zones at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). The Ghana Police Service will manage these arrangements and direct MPs to appropriate areas.
MPs must wear their identification tags for quick verification, and entry to the Chamber will be allowed from 8:00 a.m. Public access to the gallery has been temporarily suspended to prevent public attendance at parliamentary sessions, further reducing the chances of disruption during these potentially heated discussions.
These measures are intended to ensure order and mitigate any possible tensions during this critical period.
“Respectfully counting on the cooperation of all,” the statement read, urging all MPs and staff to comply with the new guidelines to ensure the smooth and secure continuation of parliamentary business.
These enhanced security measures come at a critical time as the nation awaits further developments on the constitutional challenges in Parliament.
With heightened public interest in the case, it is expected that these restrictions will help maintain calm and order within the legislative body.