Audio: Parliament to purchase bulletproof glass curtains for protection
Parliament has hinted of plans to purchase bulletproof glass curtains for the chamber of the House.
The move is part of measures to ensure the safety of Members of Parliament in the law-making chamber.
Even though there is tight security inside the premises of Parliament, and those entering the house are scanned with metal detectors and searched, the bulletproof glass curtain is still being considered in the chamber.
The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Ocquaye, on December 24, 2019, announced plans to wall the chamber with a bulletproof curtain.
Speaking on the floor of the chamber, Professor Ocquaye said, “It may interest members to know that the board is seriously considering a bulletproof glass curtain for the gallery for the utmost protection of members whiles in the chamber.”
Listen:
Members of Parliament have been on a campaign for actions to safeguard their safety in and outside of the house.
This comes after a wave of attacks on some MPs outside Parliament.
In February 2016, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu was stabbed to death at his residence in Shiashie, Accra.
Two persons, Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso were arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of the MP.
Asiedu and Bosso are being held over the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and with robbery. Asiedu is facing an additional charge of murder.
But almost four years after the incident, justice is yet to be served.
Also, on December 26, 2017, the private residence of the former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, and current Member of Parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency, Eric Opoku, was attacked.
The alleged assailants, numbering about six who, were said to be wielding dangerous objects, including machetes stormed Mr Opoku’s residence at about 11:30 am and forcefully gained access to the main building.
They reportedly broke the glass windows and doors of the house and vandalised several of the vehicles that had been parked on the property.
This was not all.
In November 2019, Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency in Ashanti, Kennedy Kankam received his share of attacks from armed men in his home.
The MP was said to be in his house with his family when the incident occurred at dawn.
The gunmen held the MP and his family hostage for over three hours.
They made away with his land cruiser which was later retrieved by police in the Ashanti Region.
These attacks raised concerns about the safety of MPs.
Members of both sides of the house demanded 24-hour police protection but this request was shot down by some security analysts.
According to a security analyst, Colonel Festus Aboagye (rtd), attempts to do so will compromise the efficiency of the police since it will result in human resource constraints for the service.