Gov’t withdraws controversial Legislative instrument granting MPs and judges siren privileges

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, has officially retracted the contentious Legislative Instrument (L.I.) proposed by the Minister for Transport.

This L.I. aimed to allow Members of Parliament (MPs), Judges, and Ministers to use sirens and be exempt from speed limits while on official duties.

The proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180), met with substantial public backlash and strong opposition from various sectors, including the Minority Caucus in Parliament. Critics deemed the amendment unnecessary and inappropriate, especially given the nation’s pressing issues.

In a formal statement on the floor of Parliament, Korsah acknowledged the public and stakeholder concerns, announcing the withdrawal of the L.I. He stated, “Mr Speaker, I rise to move that the Road Traffic Regulation Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, 2024, be withdrawn. This has become necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership. Therefore, it is so withdrawn.”

The Minority Caucus, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, had vocally opposed the L.I., urging members to vote against it and calling for its immediate withdrawal. They highlighted the need for the government to address more urgent national issues, such as the high cost of living, food inflation, unemployment, high fuel costs, and the cedi’s depreciation.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, also weighed in, denying any knowledge of the Legislative Instrument and clarifying that Parliament lacks the constitutional power to amend regulations.

He stated, “there is nothing like that before Parliament,” during a public lecture on private member bills at the University of Ghana, further complicating the already controversial proposal.

“I thought something was being done behind my back, but all my directors confirmed they had not seen any such L.I.”