The Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced plans to sue the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah for not reporting to Parliament on the status of intelligence agencies in the country.
The MP has consistently complained that Mr. Kan Dapaah has flouted the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act 1996 since assuming office by refusing to send the requisite annual report on intelligence agencies to Parliament.
The Minority Spokesperson on Defence and Interior, James Agalga, has also previously demanded that the National Security Minister be subject to Parliamentary oversight.
In a letter by Mr. Ablakwa’s lawyers sighted by Citi News, the minister is accused of having “repeatedly omitted or refused to honor obligations to parliament.”
“In the circumstances, our client has resolved to proceed to court after the stipulated one month notice has elapsed to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the Minister for National Security who oversees the intelligence agencies to respect the authority of Parliament by submitting yearly reports to parliament on the intelligence agencies as well as the national security council secretariat.”
The Chairman of Parliament’s Interior and Defence Committee, Seth Acheampong, has in response to the Minority’s concerns said his committee receives periodic briefings from the National Security Minister.
The Mpraeso MP assured that his committee, and by extension, the House, is well briefed on happenings in the national security domain.
“Whenever there is a situation that we do not submit to, we call on the Minister, we have the power to subject the Minister before us and question him and ask of him because we are the people’s reps,” he said.
Source: citinewsroom.com
