The controversy surrounding the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s residence has taken a fresh turn following the intervention of the Parliamentary Service.
In a recent statement, the Parliamentary Service has revealed that the construction of high-rise apartments around the Speaker’s residence has led to a situation where the residence is now isolated, akin to an “island.”
This development it says raises concerns about the potential compromise of the Speaker’s safety and security.
“A visit to the official residence of Rt. Hon. Speaker will unveil that almost all the surrounding buildings and accompanying parcels of land have been sold out to private developers. High-rise apartments have been constructed all around, leaving the Speaker’s residence as an island and endangering the safety and security of the Rt. Hon. Speaker,” it added.
This revelation sheds light on the complex nature of the issue, bringing attention to the broader implications of the surrounding properties being in private hands.
The controversy emerged when Speaker Alban Bagbin revealed during the Speaker’s Breakfast Forum on November 20, 2023, that his residence in Accra was on the brink of being sold to a private developer while he was still residing there.
The startling disclosure came to light when the developer attempted to register the land at the Lands Commission.
However, the Lands Commission issued a counter-statement on Monday, denying any sale of the property to a private developer.
This conflicting narrative adds layers of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the transparency and accuracy of information related to the attempted sale.
The Parliamentary Service’s statement, issued on Wednesday, emphasized the urgent need for transparency in the attempted sale of the Speaker’s residence.
It underscores that the proliferation of high-rise apartments surrounding the Speaker’s residence poses a tangible risk to the safety and security of the Rt. Hon. Speaker.
In response to these developments, Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has taken proactive steps.
On November 21, 2023, he requested the presence of top officials from the Lands Commission to obtain firsthand information regarding the attempted sale of Speaker Bagbin’s residence in Cantonments to a private developer.