The Majority Caucus in Parliament has described as untruthful and unfortunate, the comments by the Minority caucus on the withdrawal of the Speaker’s security detail.

The Minority in Parliament said earlier that the withdrawal of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s military guards, is a politically motivated action aimed to diminish his confidence.

However, in a press statement by the Majority caucus, they contended that in the history of the fourth republic, Speaker Alban Bagbin has been served with the largest number of security personnel for his protection, than any of the previous Speakers.

“We have also listened to comments on the same subject matter on various radio platforms most of which do not relate to the truth and are simply unfortunate narrations.”

“Indeed, none of the previous Speakers had half of the Police cover as has been accorded Rt. Hon. Bagbin. It must be emphasised for the record that Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been served with the largest number of security personnel for his protection that none of the previous Speakers had,” the Majority said in a statement.

The NPP MPs demanded proof from the Minority to validate their claims that the withdrawal of the Speaker’s security detail is politically motivated.

“Now the Minority Caucus' statement states that the action by the Military High Command is politically motivated. What is the proof? Or is it the case that they consider that since the Rt. Hon. Bagbin is NDC he is there to do the bidding of NDC and hence any critique of the Speaker or any action aimed at the Speaker is a critique of or action against the NDC, and therefore should be considered as being politically motivated?” the Majority quizzed.

The Majority Caucus further accused the Speaker of being unappreciative of gestures from the state.

“Following from the principle of bending backwards to accommodate the Speaker, the Minister for Defence has on occasions availed Casa-Air Plane and Helicopters to carry the Speaker to his Region and home village. Again, when the Speaker was invited to Nigeria, the Presidential jet was placed at his disposal. These facilities have not been accorded the previous Speakers. It does appear that the Rt. Hon. Bagbin is unappreciative of these gestures from the state,” the Majority noted.

This comes in the wake of a leaked document from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) directing the withdrawal of some 4 soldiers from the Office of the Speaker because they were assigned there “without proper procedure.”

A letter from GAF said “It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January, 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment.”

According to the Minority, the calculated move is due to Mr. Bagbin’s persistent bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government.

Describing the move as shameful, the opposition accused the Akufo-Addo government of acting in bad faith.