The Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Moses Anim, says the gruesome murder of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman constituency, Hon. Ekow Hayford, is an indication that lawmakers have now become endangered species in the Ghanaian society.
“Mr. Continuously we’ve been asking for provision of security for MPs. Mr. Speaker, it isn’t that MPs are so special for the people. It is just that as MP we are not owned by our families alone, neither are we owned by Parliament alone. We are owned by the State called Ghana. Mr. Speaker, as a Minister of State has been targeted because of his political position, so an MP remains a target for anybody who wants to go wayward in trying to terminate the life or harm or take away the property of Members of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, we also know the efforts that the Parliamentary Service Board of which you, Mr. Speaker, being the Chairman, are making to ensure that MPs are provided the necessary securities that we sustain our lives and ensure that courageously and honestly and truthfully, we stand firm to our responsibilities established by the constitution of this country.
“One of the decisions of the Board was that you directed the Clerk of Parliament to write to the Inspector General of Police to demand from him that because this is an election year, he should take steps to provide the necessary security for MPs. Mr. Speaker, the response that was received by the Clerk of Parliament and delivered to you was not the appropriate response and the reaction that we expected of the institution of the Police Service. Mr. Speaker, we are not calling for a special dispensation for MPs because we believe that the protection and security for every Ghanaian is paramount. We are also saying that as MPs, we are also vulnerable and we are so targeted as much as a Minister of State, MMDCE, or any other political person can be targeted. The report reaching us confirms that it was when the MP said he is the Member of Parliament that is when he was shot. It is an indication that, yes, Members of Parliament, we are endangered species, and can be targeted by any person”, he noted.
Hon. Anim, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Trobo, made this observation on the floor of Parliament when commenting on the murder of their colleague MP for Mfantseman constituency, Hon. Ekow Quansah Hayford, on Friday, October 9, 2020.
He said it was about time the House takes firm decisions bothering on their safety and ensure that they are implemented to the latter. To this effect, Hon. Anim pleaded with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye to ensure that lawmakers are given some form of police protection.
He said the sudden death of Hon. Hayford has thought them a big lesson as they have resolved to abandon night campaigns as a result of lack of protection.
