We didn't deploy personnel to interfere with parliamentary proceedings-GAF

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed claims circulating in the media that soldiers were deployed to the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to disrupt parliamentary proceedings during the Fifth Meeting of the Fourth Session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

In a statement released by the Director-General of Public Relations on Tuesday, GAF firmly labeled these reports as "false" and advised the public to disregard them.

"Such falsehoods tarnish the image of GAF," the statement highlighted.

This response follows the sighting of military personnel at the AICC earlier on Tuesday morning, where Parliament was meeting. According to a previous statement from Parliament, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, had requested additional security, following comments made in Parliament on October 17, 2024. During that session, the Minority Leader had pushed the Speaker to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.

However, the Supreme Court intervened by issuing a stay of execution on the Speaker's declaration, allowing the MPs to maintain their seats and participate in parliamentary matters until the case is resolved.

The situation has led to a leadership standoff in Parliament, affecting the balance of power.

In response to the ongoing tensions, the Speaker of Parliament requested the presence of GAF for enhanced security checks, including bomb and canine sweeps, before parliamentary meetings each Tuesday.

"On Monday, October 21, 2024, the Speaker, through the Clerk of Parliament, requested GAF to provide routine canine and bomb sweeps of the Chamber. This standard procedure is followed on the first sitting day of each week, which is typically Tuesday when Parliament meets outside the usual Parliament House," GAF explained.

The military clarified that their personnel were at the venue solely to conduct these security checks and were not involved in any way in the parliamentary proceedings.

"Their presence was strictly for security purposes, conducting routine checks to ensure the safety of the venue by searching for potential explosive devices or harmful materials," the statement continued.

GAF reiterated its dedication to ensuring the safety of all citizens and emphasized its continued focus on safeguarding security. They also urged media organizations to avoid spreading false information and to ensure accurate reporting on matters of public concern.