Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has lashed out at President Akufo-Addo for stripping him of his military protection.
He accused the government of Mr. Akufo-Addo of hypocrisy and double standards in withdrawing his military detail.
“When I was second deputy Speaker, the Office of the same President approved his staff sergeant to by military attaché. For four good years, the staff sergeant was with me.
“Now, I’ve been elected as the Speaker, which is a higher position, and the same president says I’m not entitled to military attachment,” he lamented in a media engagement on Friday, October 29, 2022.
The Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces withdrew military officers attached to the Speaker in January of this year on the grounds that they were attached “without proper procedure.”
A letter to the Speaker stated that efforts were being made to regularize their attachment, which has yet to be completed.
The Minority in Parliament speculated that this was a politically motivated action to undermine Mr. Bagbin’s confidence.
According to the Minority, the calculated move was motivated by the Speaker’s persistent attempt to steer the affairs of the legislative branch of government impartially and independently.
Alban Bagbin is still perplexed as to why some public officeholders are entitled to military attachment but he is not.
“My military team, I’ve managed on my own; I’ve been managing on my own. This world is an interesting place… but the others are entitled and if you go to His Excellency’s office, you may count them [military officers] to about 200.
“The Vice President definitely has access to some. I am not entitled but the Chief Justice after me has four; ministers have their own and each Supreme Court judge has two but the Speaker is not entitled. This is Ghana’s unique democracy but don’t worry, I’m very secure,” he assured.
