MPs ‘Siren & Speed’ Bill Withdrawn

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, has officially withdrawn the contentious Legislative Instrument (L.I.) on behalf of the Minister for Transport.

The L.I. states that speed limit regulations will no longer apply to MPs and Ministers of State. Furthermore they would also be given the freedom to fit sirens on their vehicles.

In a formal address to Parliament on Tuesday, July16th, 2024, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah underscored the necessity of withdrawing the amendment in response to extensive public and stakeholder feedback.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to move that the Road Traffic Regulation Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, 2024, be withdrawn. Mr. Speaker, this has become necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership. Therefore, it is so withdrawn,” he stated.

This particular L.I., sought to confer special privileges upon Members of Parliament (MPs), Judges, and Ministers. Specifically, it proposed granting them the authority to use sirens and exempting them from adhering to speed limits while carrying out official duties.

The introduction of this amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180) prompted immediate and widespread public backlash including the Minority Caucus in Parliament. Critics argued vehemently that such privileges were unnecessary and unjustifiable, especially given the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

The Minority Caucus in Parliament, led by Dr. CassielAtoForson, emerged as vocal opponents of the L.I. They swiftly mobilized against it, directing their members to vehemently oppose the proposal and urging for its immediate withdrawal.

Dr. AtoForson emphasized that the government’s focus should be redirected towards addressing critical national issues, including the high cost of living, food inflation, unemployment, escalating fuel prices, currency depreciation, and the economic challenges exacerbated by a burdensome tax regime.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, also weighed in on the matter, clarifying that Parliament lacked the constitutional authority to change rules or laws without agreement from others.

During a public lecture at the University of Ghana, Bagbin affirmed, “There is nothing like that before Parliament. I thought something was being done behind my back, but all my directors confirmed they had not seen any such L.I.”

The proposed amendment to grant MPs and other specified officials exemptions from traffic regulations, including speed limits, drew particular ire from the public. Many viewed it as preferential treatment that contradicted principles of equality under the law.

Background of the Legislative Instrument

The Ministry of Transport presented a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to Parliament on Friday, June 14, 2024, proposing amendments to portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.

The L.I.aims to extend privileges previously reserved for emergency and specialized vehicles to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State.

The amendment to Regulation 74 of LI 2180 will allow the installation of sirens or bells as warning devices on specific vehicles, including those used by Supreme Court justices, MPs, and Ministers of State.

Portions of this Legislative Instrument were shared on Facebook by Mr. Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI-Africa, indicating that these individuals will legally be able to use sirens to navigate through traffic congestion anywhere in Ghana.

Furthermore, the amendment to Regulation 166 of LI 2180 states that speed limit regulations will no longer apply to MPs and Ministers of State.

In December 2020, Parliament enacted the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2020, which introduces stricter penalties for road traffic offenders whose actions result in the death of an unborn child. This was the first instance of a private member’s Bill proposed by MPs being approved by Parliament.