The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has apologized to the Ghanaian public over the botched regulation that sought to allow MPs, Ministers and Judges drive without speed limit and install sirens.
This was after the L.I was withdrawn following intense public backlash.
In a formal statement to the House on Monday, July 29, Alban Bagbin called for a reflection on the processes necessary for subsidiary legislation to become law.
"We recognize the public's perception of insensitivity and I am here to offer an apology and assure the Ghanaian people that this Parliament remains acutely aware of and responsive to their needs," he added.
The apology by the Speaker comes weeks after the Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, Legislative Instrument (L.I.), which seeks to allow specific officials of the state to use sirens or bells as warning appliances on specific classes of vehicles, was withdrawn.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, withdrew the instrument on the floor of Parliament on July 16 on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, citing public and stakeholder concerns.
He added that "the withdrawal became necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership."
He further announced, "Mr Speaker, I would like to move that the Road Traffic Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, be withdrawn... it is so withdrawn."
Read also: Public backlash against LI granting siren use rights to MPs and Ministers
The Ministry of Transport had previously laid the LI before Parliament to amend portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.
However, the LI faced opposition from the public and the Minority in Parliament, who issued a press statement urging the Transport Minister to withdraw the LI before it matured in 21 days.
The Minority also pledged to vote against the LI if it reached the chamber.
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