Dean of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly known as Opanyin Agyekum has waded into debate over providing security escort to Members of Parliament in the country.
The security of the lawmakers has become a matter of concern, following the murder of Mfantseman MP, Ekow Kwansah Hayford.
The late Mfantseman MP was shot dead by highway armed robbers in the Central Region when he was returning from a campaign trip.
Tons of tributes have been trickling in for the bereaved family from the political divide and Ghanaians in general.
Former President and NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, paying tribute to the deceased family, called on the government to address the growing rate of crimes in the country.
“I have received the shocking news of the death of Hon. Ekow Quansah Hayford, MP for Mfantseman in a reported armed robbery attack. My condolence to his family. This is the most despicable act, and we all look forward to the security agencies investigating and arresting those involved and bringing them speedily to justice.
“There is a growing climate of insecurity in Ghana. Dastardly armed robberies and violent crime have become a common occurrence. I urge the government and the security agencies to do more to protect the Ghanaian people”, Mr. Mahama said in a Facebook post.
He advocated that MPs should be given an armed Police guards saying “it’s probably also time to look at the provision of armed police guards for our MPs”.
Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Opanyin Agyekum also fully supported calls for personal security protection for the lawmakers.
He explained that the safety of the legislators should be the nation's top priority because they represent the masses in Parliament.
''I believe nothing hinders the country from providing security protection for them if there is a way to do that...One person in Parliament estimatively represents 5000 constituents. If someone pulls a gun or a rod or poison the person's food to eliminate him or her, it means 5000 people will have to suffer. So, if we can protect the person to live long and be in Parliament to work for us, I see nothing wrong with that'', he asserted.
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