Mahama’s security oversight order could lead to chaos - MP

President John Dramani Mahama should clearly define and name the agencies that are to report directly to the Ministry for the Interior, so as to avoid any conflicts, Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh has admonished.

A recent directive from the Office of the President, which was read by the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho to the house on Thursday June 17 indicated that various security and intelligence gathering agencies in the country should report directly to the Ministry of the Interior.

The directive was in accordance with Section 17 of the Security and Intelligence Agency Act 1996.

Even though the directive did not name any specific security agencies, some MPs believe the move will bring transparency to the activities of bodies such as the Bureau of National Investigations and the Office of National Security.

Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh said clarity on the matter will be helpful since an intelligence agency like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) does not necessarily fall under the list of institutions under section 17 of the Act.

He told Class FM’s Parliamentary correspondent, Ekow Annan that the directive "can be chaotic and generate confusion in the system because if an institution is under the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, it suggests they must also report to the Minister for the Interior. Who will be the boss? Or both ministers should receive reports? There is a need for some clarification that EOCO will not work with Minister of Justice and Attorney General anymore but Minister for the Interior," he stated