Parliamentary Brawl: Police Respond To Calls To Storm Parliament Amidst Scuffle

“Inasmuch as we are committed to our mandate of maintaining law and order, in the Ghanaian society, we are also mindful not to overstep the limitations imposed on it by the law”, the Ghana Police Service has responded.

Following the December 21 midnight Parliamentary scuffle, some “concerned Ghanaians” questioned why the police did not storm the chamber to maintain law and order and further take action against Members of Parliament who were engaged in the act.

In a statement signed by the General-Director of Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori, the police explained that security issues within the chamber of parliament are the responsibility of the Marshal to Parliament who takes instructions from the clerk of parliament on such matters.

It was emphasized that legally, the police have no authority to enter the chamber of Parliament to undertake a law enforcement venture since any act of that sort will amount to a contravention of the laws of the country.

“Therefore, the Marshal and his team of officers have to deal with such situations in the chamber and thereafter, refer the matter to the police for investigations and possible prosecution if the House so decides”, he said.

In order to prevent future occurrence, it said that the police have initiated steps to engage the Clerk, Marshal, and leadership of parliament to fashion out a more proactive way of supporting Parliament in this regard within the confines of the law of the country.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini