Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has assured Parliament that the government has put in place a multi-dimensional security plan to protect the country from any potential threats arising from the political instability in neighbouring Togo.
Appearing before the House yesterday, Mr.Brogya Genfi said the recent disturbances in Kutobo, Togo, posed potential “security, social and economic risks” to Ghana, including possible refugee inflows, cross-border crime and destabilising effects on local communities.
“The Ministry of Defence, working closely with other security and intelligence agencies has, therefore, adopted a comprehensive contingency framework to pre-empt and respond to any adverse effects of this risk,” he stated.
Explaining further, the Deputy Minister said the Ghana Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security and intelligence bodies, had intensified joint patrols along the Ghana-Togo border, particularly around Aflao, Denu and Petoi to deter infiltration and protect the country’s territorial integrity.
He told the House that the plan also includes humanitarian preparedness and civil-military cooperation, with logistics already being pre-positioned at designated reception centres to manage any refugee inflows.
“The Ghana Armed Forces Coordination Teams will work with NADMO and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure that displaced persons are registered, screened, and cared for in accordance with humanitarian standards,” Mr. Brogya Genfi said.
He added that the process would not only provide care and assistance but also “help identify, prevent, and arrest potential troublemakers.”
Mr.Brogya Genfi further disclosed that the Ministry had issued “firm but measured instructions” to troops to exercise maximum restraint and only engage when faced with a “direct and imminent threat.”
He also highlighted the Armed Forces’ strategic communication activities aimed at sensitising border communities on the purpose and scope of the deployments.
“Our communication is being carried out in local languages to deepen trust and deter misinformation,” he said.
Following the Deputy Minister’s submission, Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, commended the Minister for what he called an “all-encompassing response,” but pressed for more details.
“I am only seeking some specifics. What changes have been made to the Ghana Armed Forces’ operational deployment along the Eastern Corridor, including the use of rapid response task forces, surveillance drones and forward operational bases?” he said.
Before the Deputy Minister could respond, Majority Leader MahamaAyariga intervened, cautioning against seeking or disclosing operational military details in open Parliament.
“Detailed operational issues — how many drones are being used, how many soldiers are deployed, and where — cannot and should not be discussed in this chamber,” he said.
He argued that such discussions could compromise national security and violate Order 86 of Parliament’s Standing Orders, which warns against statements that may undermine foreign relations.
“When we describe the situation in Togo as political instability, we are discourteously referring to a foreign country. People there are demonstrating, and their government is managing the situation. We should not interfere,” he said.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, disagreed sharply with Mr.Ayariga’s interpretation, insisting that the supplementary question fell within parliamentary rules.
“With respect, Mr. Speaker, the Majority Leader has mixed the issues. The Honourable Member’s supplementary question does not seek to refer discourteously to any country.
“It only seeks clarification from the Minister based on what he himself has told the House,” he said.
Mr.Afenyo-Markin argued that since the Speaker had already admitted the question as urgent, under Order 85, it was procedurally proper for the Member to seek clarification.
“If the Minister believed certain matters were sensitive, he should not have introduced them in his main answer,” he contended.
He maintained that the Minority was only exercising its constitutional duty to ensure accountability.
“The question has been admitted, the Minister has answered, and the Member is following up within the rules,” he said.
After listening to the exchanges, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, who presided, ruled that delving into operational specifics would endanger security protocols.
“It is not for any reason that members of our Security and Intelligence Committee take an oath to operate within the ambit of that committee. Stretching this matter into detailed operational activities would take security issues too far into the public domain,” he ruled.
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