“We have no authority to enter Parliament to enforce laws” – Police

The Ghana Police Service has explained its absence from Parliament on Monday night when Members of Parliament turned the chamber into a fight club.

The Service has been widely criticised by a cross-section of Ghanaians for their inaction during the brawl.

But in a statement signed by the Director-General, Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori, the police has no authority to “undertake any law enforcement venture” in Parliament.

“The legal position is that the Police have no authority to enter the Chamber of Parliament to undertake any law enforcement venture. Any such act will be in the contravention of the laws of the country.” 

Further clarifying that only the Marshal of Parliament is authorised to handle security issues in the House and that moving into the chamber would only amount to “overstepping the limitations imposed on it by law”

“We have however initiated steps to engage the clerk, Marshal, and leadership of Parliament to fashion out a more proactive way of supporting Parliament in this regard within the confines of the laws of the country,” the statement added.

Find below the statement from the Ghana Police Service: