Ghanaians also deserve protection, not only MPs – Kpebu

A private legal practitioner says the provision of more security officials for parliamentarians is a step in the wrong direction. 

According to Martin Kpebu, the state should rather scale up security for the general populace and not Members of Parliament (MPs) alone.

His call follows the varied public reactions that have greeted the deployment of some 200 police officers to serve as personal security guards to legislators as a result of the recent killing of the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman in the Central Region.

At least 800 police officers will be deployed to enhance the security of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the coming years under the Parliamentary Protection Unit.

Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery indicated that the additional number of police personnel will provide security for MPs at their residence.

The officers will operate under the Parliamentary Protection Unit. Under the new arrangement, every MP will be entitled to a police officer as a bodyguard.

However, the decision has been criticized by some Ghanaians, civil society groups and security analysts but the government says, the move is justified.

Speaking on the matter, Mr Martin Kpebu noted that at the moment Ghana does not have enough police officers therefore, dedicating 800 officers to cater for MPs alone will create problems for the security of the country.

“If we are to increase security in the general population there will be no need for heavy personal security for the MP. It is because the Police numbers are down, totally below the required standards that is why you have this,” he said.

He added “So if you increase security for the general populace it will be a less need for the personal heavy security. Let us do that one first because all lives matter.”