Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, John Ntim Fordjour, has criticised government’s decision to dispatch troops to Jamaica and Benin without seeking a parliamentary approval, demanding immediate answers from relevant security agencies.
The Assin South legislator denounced what he said are misguided deployments that did not receive appropriate scrutiny to check the cost involved and the safety of the troops going into countries with volatile security situations.
“We woke up to the news of Ghana sending troops to Benin and these troops that are committed to some undertaking in Benin ought to have come to the attention of Parliament for prior approval.
“Today, we also have woken up to the news of government sending military troops to Jamaica to assist on humanitarian grounds and some reconstruction undertakings,” he stated.
Ntim Fordjour says the parliamentary approval is required for the House to evaluate the cost to be incurred, the duration and kind of operation to be undertaken by the troops.
He noted that Parliament cannot be overlooked in such matters for prior approval since Ghana is not a one-party state.
“We don’t have any problem with principles of assistance to these countries we have mentioned. However, the procedures that should have been followed and the due process of consulting this August House in such decision for us to be able to interrogate to ensure transparency in the modalities, framework and even the various costs that the state will incur and how long these decisions taken will persist.
“We are here and very much concerned because this is not a one-party state and we cannot run with this government as a one-party state,” he added.
He continued: “Recently, when they wanted to buy helicopters, they had to consult Parliament. So, how come when you want to deploy troops to Benin, you do not consult Parliament. When you want to deploy troops to Jamaica, you do not consult Parliament. What are they hiding within this process.”
He also addressed the deployment of security personnel from the various forces onto the streets of Accra, stating that such efforts must be directed to Bawku, galamsey sites and Gbenyiri.
The Minority has therefore demanded immediate answers from the Minister for Defence and all relevant state agencies involved in the decision to deploy the troops.
Ghana deploys 54 soldiers to Jamaica to support national rebuilding efforts
