In a stark warning, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin revealed that the legislative body’s premises have become a hotbed of security breaches, with unidentified individuals infiltrating the enclave and attacking lawmakers and staff.
The alarming disclosure was made during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board for the ninth Parliament, where Bagbin emphasized the urgent need to bolster security measures within the precincts of the House.
According to Bagbin, the breaches have become a persistent problem, with intruders exploiting vulnerabilities in the perimeter wall to escape into the surrounding forest. The Speaker’s concerns were echoed in his impassioned plea to the Majority Leader to prioritize the enhancement of security protocols.
“One of the challenges that need to be addressed is to secure the parliamentary enclave to ensure the safety of members and staff,” Bagbin stated.
“We are actually insecure here. We are not safe. Sometimes people can come in and attack us or staff and anytime there is an attempt to apprehend them, they scale over the wall and escape into the forest” he added
Bagbin underscored the importance of addressing the security concerns, noting, “This is vital for the functioning of parliament. I believe the ninth board will work assiduously to make this a reality.”
In a call to action, Bagbin concluded, “I will call on the leaders of the house to follow up on this matter.”