As part of measures to strengthen security at the House, new security scanners have been placed in Parliament.
The Speaker, members of Parliament, media representatives, and guests are all required to pass through the scanners in order to enter the House of Representatives.
On the morning of November 16, 2022, Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin went through the security scanners to test the new system.
Following that, the Speaker addressed the House and announced the installation of the new scanning technology, emphasizing that all members wishing to enter the chamber of parliament must pass through the scanners.
I repeat, all members, including myself as Speaker, must go through the scanners and pass through before we can enter the House of Commons, he stated.
“All strangers must pass through the scanning machines in order to enter the press gallery, public gallery, or important visitors’ gallery.”
Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the new security regulations are being put into place for the benefit of the MPs and everyone who has reason to visit Parliament.
Thus, he requested, starting from tomorrow (Thursday, November 17, 2022), anyone who is unwilling to pass through that apparatus would unquestionably not be permitted to join this Chamber.
In a similar incident, animosity is rising between the media and the House as a result of new security measures that forbid journalists from bringing their phones into the Chamber.
A preliminary order about the new regulations was later softened, but journalists maintain that it is still prohibitive because all phones must be in airplane mode when in the Chamber.
In addition, cell phones have developed into priceless tools for journalists who depend on them not just as communication tools to stay in constant contact with the office for live reports but also as recording devices for both audio and video and as fast story-writing tools.
The directors of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC), the director of public affairs, and the marshall have been invited to a meeting to discuss how to avoid blacking out the media from executing their jobs in the legislature.