Brief MPs on anti-terrorism drill – Ablakwa

As part of measures to combat and prevent any future terrorist attack, the country’s security forces will, this weekend, commence an anti-terrorism drill under the auspices of the Minister of National Security.

The exercise code named “Home Shield” will run until next week.

However, Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, speaking in parliament on Friday, 24 November said although the operation was laudable, parliamentarians were not briefed about it.

He, therefore, called on the Speaker of parliament to allow the minister of national security, Albert Kan-Dapaah brief lawmakers and involve them in the exercise.

“This very important intervention that the National Security Minister is engaged in has not been brought to our attention and I want to put an application before you Mr Speaker, if it is possible that in the ensuing week, the National Security Minister could have a session with us even if it’s a committee of a whole in a closed door sitting to see how as Members of Parliament who represent the people, we can also be involved to know how we can all help to make sure that our counter-terrorism mechanism as a country is further enhanced.

“So this is a good move by the national security apparatus but it is without the people’s representatives so far and I want to apply that Mr Speaker, if we can have some briefing with the National Security Minister so we can support their good work.”

For his part, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu assured the lawmakers that the National Security Minister will be briefing MPs about the drill. The Majority Leader, however, stated that the minister will not address the entire parliament given the implications of the subject matter but will meet only relevant bodies of the house.

Source: ClassFMonline.com