[ad_1]
With the NDC and NPP reeling at 137 and 138 MPs (including the Independiente) respectively, the precarious nature of the balance of power in Parliament highlights the urgent need for MPs to exercise extra precaution to ensure their safety.
One wonders how Parliament’s figures are related to the security of Members.
Well, the uncomfortable truth is that politics in Ghana has gotten so grimy that some power-hungry people will do anything in the sun to get hold of it. Therefore, in the unfortunate disappearance of a deputy from both sides, power could shift tectonically and cause major parliamentary reengineering. As a result, the likely politically motivated violence against MPs has turned dire.
The stakes are high, therefore MPs, especially those who were elected for extremely controversial reasons, should take personal safety more seriously.
Here are some tips that are worth considering;
1. Equip homes with surveillance and alarm systems.
2. Avoid advertising the itinerary, especially those that take place late at night.
3. Travel through well-lit, crowded streets at night. If possible, travel with a friend or in a group.
4. Conduct background checks on domestic helpers
5. Don’t give artisans too much access to your home.
6. Parliamentarians choosing to move to new accommodation must change all locks if third parties have had access to the keys
7. Pay attention to other cars behind you. Criminals can follow you all day
8. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. Call if you are going to be late
9. Immediately send the GPS coordinates of your current location to someone you trust if things don’t look or feel right
10. Have the keys in hand before reaching your car or door
11. Install GPS tracking devices in your vehicles
12. Use automatic doors with remote controls. You don’t have to wait outside for the front doors to open. Can be easily ambushed at your entrance
13. Park your car in a well-lit area and lock it when you leave. Check for uninvited passengers in the back seat or on the floor before getting on
In the end, vigilance at all times is your safest bet. Don’t make it easy for the criminal to make you a victim.
***
The writer, Adib Saani, is a security analyst / executive director of the Jatikay Center for Human Security and Peacebuilding.
