Ban on debates good - Afotey-Agbo

Greater Accra regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, has lauded the Accra Metropolitan Security Council (METSEC) for banning parliamentary debates in 13 constituencies in the region.

According to the Regional Minister, the decision would promote peace, protect lives and property, and ensure stability before, during, and after the elections.

Recent debates organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in both the Weija-Gbawe and Odododiodoo constituencies have been marred by violence and clashes between supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking to Class News’ Kwesi Parker-Wilson, Mr Afotey-Agbo said the ban was not imposed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) as people had been made to believe but by the Metropolitan Security Council.

“We have AMA and we have METSEC; they are not the same body. AMA is to give development and make sure that schools, hospitals, and some other amenities are provided to the citizenry, but when we talk about METSEC, it comprises the police, the military, and all the security agencies. …This is a decision by METSEC, so, based on what they have experienced, if they come out to say that these programmes should not be held anymore, I think they are right,” he said.

Mr Afotey-Agbo added: “…If people have been advised and they cannot comport themselves to the extent that they will be coming out to shoot and the security have come out with a decision, it is justified because they are in charge…”