Speaker worried about MPs personal security

Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe Adjaho, on the reconvention of Parliament, has urged members to take adequate measures to enhance their personal security, as Leadership makes further moves for their protection.

He referred to the bloody killing of Mr Joseph Boakye -Danquah Adu, a former member for Abuakwa North last February, and the recent attack on Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, member for Okere, at his home about a fortnight ago.

But until then, he said, every member is under an obligation to take necessary security precautions in their homes.

"Honourable members, leadership is extremely concerned about the recent spate of attacks on members of this august House," he said and expressed gratitude to God that in the case of Mr Botwe, no lives were lost.

"We have made the necessary representation to the security agencies and they are handling the situation. The leadership would take the necessary and reasonable additional steps to protect and secure its members and staff.

“I urge members to take all necessary security precautions in their …homes while the matter is being addressed,” he said.

The members are back to the House after an eight-week holiday, and have reconvened for the second sitting of the fourth session of the sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, which would last for about nine weeks.

Attendance on the first day of the meeting was impressive, and the newly elected member, Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo, a teacher, was sworn-in by the Speaker to replace the late JB Danquah Adu.

Mr Adjaho reminded members that this year being an election year, the time available to members to conduct parliamentary business is limited, and expressed the need for regular and punctual attendance at both the plenary and the committee sittings, with the needed seriousness.

The Speaker called on the leadership of the Majority to ensure that Ministers of State scheduled to appear before the House to answer questions did so promptly.

Twenty-nine bills are expected to be considered by the House during this meeting.

They include the Ghana School of Law Bill, 2016; Legal Service Bill, 2016; Road Safety Bill, 2016; Electronic Communication (Amendment) Bill; the Right to Information Bill, 2013; the Plant Breeders Bill, 2013.

There are 14 instruments expected to be presented at the meeting and 10 motions tabled for debate.