By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Feb 21, GNA- Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, has announced that Parliament will implement intensified security measures on Thursday, February 27, during President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the House.
This decision follows revelations made by Mr Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, ahead of the address.
According to Mr Ayariga, Members of Parliament (MPs) were required to be seated in the chamber by 09:15 hours, as access will be restricted by National Security after the President’s arrival.
“Mr Speaker, members are expected to be seated in the chamber at 09:15 hours, this is because once the Excellency enters the chamber, National Security will not allow any member access into the chamber,” Mr Ayariga said during the presentation of the of the Business Statement for the seventh week ending Friday February 28.
Additionally, he noted that MPs would not be permitted to enter the chamber with unauthorised persons adding that only Deputy Speakers and the two leaders will have access to the Speaker’s lobby, while access to the area in front of the Speaker’s lobby will be limited.
Mr Ayariga told Parliament that the doors on the Majority side of the chamber will also be locked during the address, requiring MPs to exit through the Minority side or the division room.
SONA is a constitutional obligation and yearly tradition, wherein the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and proposes to Parliament certain legislative measures.
Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, states that the President shall deliver a message on the SONA to Parliament at the start of each session and before the dissolution of Parliament.
It also imposes an obligation on MPs, the Speaker of Parliament and the Judiciary to receive the President’s SONA.
GNA