1 MP, 1 Police officer; Gov’t provides security after MP murder

Two hundred police officers have been deployed to serve as bodyguards for Members of Parliament, Accra-based Asempa FM has reported.

This forms part of temporary measures to provide enhanced security for legislators following the killing of Mfantseman MP, Ekow Quansah Hayford.

The latest security arrangement is expected to last till the December elections are over.

According to Asempa FM, MPs who double as Ministers or Deputy ministers are exempted from the arrangement since they already have security protection.

Some legislators, including Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, Sam George, and Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu had revived calls for security for MPs in the wake of the death of their colleague.

Haruna Iddrisu called on the state to intervene to prevent a repeat of the incident on another MP.

He was of the view that Metropolitan/District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and ministers enjoy police defense hence legislators should not be excluded under any circumstance.

Addressing parliament, Mr. Iddrisu said: “Mr. Speaker, I should thank you for the opportunity but with a heavy heart with some difficulty accepting that this morning, we are without our colleague, Ekow Hayford”.

The NPP MP, Ekow Quansah Hayford was shot and killed on the dawn of October 9, 2020, by a group of armed men suspected to be robbers while heading home from an evening campaign at Abeaze Dominase.

The armed robbers ordered them out after seizing their belongings, including mobile phones and monies, before shooting him.

His driver has been hospitalized while other party executives who were in the four-wheel-drive escaped unhurt.

Akufo-Addo reveals plans he had for murdered MP

President Nana Akufo-Addo while mourning the passing of the MP for Mfantseman, Ekow Hayford, revealed he had penciled him for an appointment in his next government.

Nana Akufo-Addo said “he was part of the young people I wanted to appoint in my next government. But unfortunately, this happened,”

The President noted that he had tasked the IGP, James Oppong Boanuh, to ensure those responsible for the gruesome murder of his party’s MP are brought to book.

“I’ve spoken to the IGP about this, and I’ve told him that if I don’t see any action from him, then what will happen will happen.”