GAF Clarifies Military Presence at Parliament
The deployment was standard procedure for the first sitting day of the week whenever Parliament convenes outside its traditional chambers.
- Speaker Alban Bagbin formally requested GAF’s security assistance for routine safety checks
- Military presence during the first parliamentary session of the week is a normal security protocol
- GAF personnel were not there to disrupt proceedings
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that their presence at the Accra International Conference Center during parliamentary sessions on October 22 was requested by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
This clarification comes in response to media reports alleging military interference in parliamentary affairs during the Fifth Meeting of the Fourth Session. GAF has categorically denied these claims, describing them as misleading and unfounded.
In a statement released on the same day, GAF explained that such deployments are standard protocol for the first sitting of the week, especially when Parliament meets outside its usual chambers.
They emphasized that the military’s role was solely to perform routine canine and bomb sweeps to ensure the safety of the venue.
“On October 21, 2024, Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin formally requested GAF’s assistance for these routine safety measures,” the statement noted. “It’s important to stress that GAF personnel were not at the Grand Arena to disrupt parliamentary proceedings; their presence was strictly for security checks to prevent any potential threats.”
GAF urged media organizations to avoid spreading misinformation and to approach public interest reporting with responsibility.
