The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, John Ntim Fordjour, has called for Ghanaian traders to receive the same level of security protection when travelling as is currently provided to politicians.
Fordjour said that if politicians are given security escorts to ensure they travel and return safely, then ordinary traders who transport goods across the country should also benefit from similar arrangements. He argued that traders play a vital role in the economy and deserve protection because of the risks they face, especially when moving goods across regions.
His comments were made during parliamentary discussions about national security and the safety of citizens engaged in economic activities. Fordjour emphasised that the goal of such security support should be to safeguard lives and livelihoods, reducing incidents of crime or attacks on travellers, particularly those on business.
The request highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of commercial transport operators in Ghana, where long-distance travel can expose drivers and traders to risks on highways and rural roads. Lawmakers are urging security agencies to consider protective measures that extend beyond political figures to include ordinary citizens whose work contributes significantly to the economy.
Fordjour’s position also reflects broader debates in Parliament about how best to balance limited security resources while ensuring equitable protection for all citizens.
