Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed concern that events held at the forecourt of the State House are posing security threats to Members of Parliament, jeopardizing their ability to carry out their official duties safely.

He raised these concerns during discussions with the top five schools that participated in the National Public Speaking Competition on Friday, March 1, 2024.

"I'm sure when you were coming, you heard some noise outside. When we are busy doing our work, there are people outside who are permitted to come and make noise. By the time we go outside, they could have broken into our cars and stolen things. You talk to them; it is like they are deaf and dumb; they don't hear. We are constrained to be able to function properly."

The Speaker also expressed concerns about the IMF's role in Ghana's economic downturn. His remarks followed the IMF's statement regarding the passage of the anti-gay bill, where the IMF reiterated its stance against all forms of discrimination.

The Speaker, in his response, said, "Anytime they want Ghana to falter and return to them, they will tell their small boys to come and misadvise us. When we do the wrong thing, and we collapse, they [IMF] say, aha! That is what they do to us. Ghana, we have been there 17 times; we have not solved our problems."