The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied claims circulating in the media that military personnel were sent to the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to disrupt parliamentary proceedings during the Fifth Meeting of the Fourth Session on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.

In a statement released by the Director-General of Public Relations, GAF firmly labelled these reports as "false" and called on the public to regard them with significant scepticism.

“Such misinformation, among other things, tarnishes the reputation of GAF,” part of the statement read.

This follows the sighting of military personnel at the AICC premises on Tuesday morning during Parliament's Fifth Meeting. An earlier announcement from Parliament noted that the security forces were present at the request of the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, following comments he made on the floor on Thursday, 17 October 2024, where the Minority Leader called for four parliamentary seats to be declared vacant.

However, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on the Speaker's announcement, permitting the affected MPs to keep their seats and engage in parliamentary activities until a final decision is reached.

This situation has led to a leadership crisis within Parliament, unsettling the existing power dynamics.

In response to this controversy, the Speaker officially asked GAF to conduct specialised security checks, including canine units and bomb sweeps, prior to the start of each Tuesday's sessions.

“On Monday, 21 October 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, through the Clerk of Parliament, formally requested security assistance from GAF for routine canine and bomb sweeps of the Chamber. This standard procedure is conducted on the first sitting day of the week—typically Tuesdays—whenever Members of Parliament convene outside the traditional Parliament House,” GAF stated.

GAF clarified that the military personnel stationed at the Grand Arena were not present to disrupt parliamentary proceedings but were there exclusively to carry out security sweeps to guarantee the venue's safety.

“Their role was exclusively to perform these routine checks, ensuring the safety and security of the facility by searching for any explosive devices or harmful substances,” the statement continued.

GAF reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the welfare of all citizens and assured the public that it will persist in undertaking missions focused on ensuring security and safety.

"We also urge media outlets to refrain from disseminating false information and to report responsibly on matters of public interest," GAF added.