![](https://ghanawaves.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ambrose-Dery-2.jpg)
Mr Ambrose Dery, the Minister for Interior has announced that 200 police guards will be included to the parliamentary protection unit as part of measures to boost protection for the members of parliament.
According to the Minister, the 200 extra police officers will augment the parliamentary protection unit to a divisional police command.
The Nandom MP was speaking press corps on Tuesday, 13 October 2020, after appearing in parliament following his summoning by Speaker Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye in the aftermath of the murder of Mfantseman MP Ekow Hayford by some armed robbers on Friday when he was returning from a campaign tour.
Mr. Ambrose Dery said the protection of the MPs has actually constantly been a priority to the Ministry.
” I want you to note that security for parliamentarians has always been the principle. From 1992, we had the parliamentary protection unit of the police established here. What has remained over the years is the extent to which the security has been provided. So, I want you to understand that the protection of Members of Parliament is part of the general national security architecture, which, first of all, is being taken care of by a number of strategies that have been put in place,”
“However, the truth of the matter on the ground is that, so far, the extent has been limited. First, the precinct of parliament is protected by security; the police, and, so, that gives to what I was talking about but when we leave here, there’s no protection for us. When you look at those categories of persons who are provided, first bodyguards, second residential protection by the police for day and night, they fall into that group that we deal with under Article 71. So, the security is certainly part of those facilities that should be available to Members of Parliament” he told Parliament.
Mr Dery said every time the issue is raised, they gave the excuse that they do not have the numbers but thanks to President Akufo-Addo the security services have been retooling and the numbers have been increased hence MPs will be given security.
“We have more security personnel available, so, what we have proposed is that between now and the end of the year, we’re going to provide additional 200 police personnel to be part of the parliamentary protection unit, making it, therefore, attain the status of a divisional police command that will take care of Members of Parliament as bodyguards” he said.
He also disclosed that 800 more security personnel will be included in ensure ample safety for MPs as it is provided for judges and ministers.
Source: Ghana Waves