Tighten MPs' security – Irbard Ibrahim

There is the need for the enhancement of the security of the country’s parliamentarians, Irbad Ibrahim, Executive Director of Irbard Security Consult, has admonished.

His comments come in wake of cries by some Members of Parliament for increased security following terrorist attacks close to UK’s Parliament on Wednesday which resulted in five deaths.

Terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in Westminster but the prime suspect was a Kent-born 52-year-old man identified as Khalid Masood.

The attack left 50 people injured, with 31 receiving hospital treatment. Two are in critical condition; one has life-threatening injuries.

Some legislators, therefore, believe that the security of lawmakers in the country need to be heightened in view of the global threat posed by terrorism.

Even though Mr Ibrahim was of the view that the MPs are not exposed to such magnitude of terrorist attacks, he admitted that the current security arrangements for the legislature require an overhaul, saying the country must “beef up security around MPs”.

He stated that currently the ratio of police to citizens is “one police officer to 950 citizens, so it will be quite far-fetched to dedicate one police officer to each MP”.

However, security in parliament house must be enhanced because currently “there are no metal detectors or other improved security gadgets”

For him, securing the offices of legislators is equally important and “entry into Job 600 should come after a thorough scrutiny, especially with people who seek to have face to face encounters with the country’s legislators”.

Comparing the circumstances leading to the attack in the UK and the situation Ghana, he was of the opinion that “Ghana’s politicians enjoy a lot of goodwill” and “the dynamics between UK and Ghana [in view of the recent attack] are quite different”.

He explained that the foreign policy of UK is different from that of Ghana and interventions by British officials at various locations globally is not the same as Ghana’s, hence any attacks on Ghana’s MPs would be less likely.

The analyst further urged the country’s MPs to build goodwill and interpersonal relationships with constituents and the general populace.