Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has cautioned Members of Parliament against the unauthorized use of police escort services and sirens, urging them to comply fully with a new government directive aimed at regulating the use of police resources. The warning was delivered during parliamentary proceedings on Monday, July 21, and monitored by The Vaultz News.
The Speaker informed the House that the Office of the Speaker had received an official communication from the Minister for the Interior requesting that Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Service be notified of the directive.
The communication outlines new enforcement measures governing the installation and use of sirens as well as access to police escort services, stressing that such privileges require prior written authorization under existing law.
“The Office of the Speaker has received a communication from the Honourable Minister for the Interior conveying a directive on the use of police resources, particularly police escort services, and the installation and use of sirens on vehicles”.
Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin
He explained that the communication specifically requested that the directive be brought to the attention of Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Service to ensure awareness and compliance.
According to the Speaker, the Cabinet has directed that no individual may install or use a siren on either an official or private vehicle without first obtaining written approval from the Minister responsible for the Interior.
Written authorization required for police escort services
The directive also places restrictions on the use of police escort services, requiring formal approval before anyone can access such resources.
Speaker Bagbin told Parliament that no individual should use police escort services unless they have written authorization from either the Minister for the Interior or the Inspector General of Police acting on the Minister’s behalf.
“Similarly, no person is to utilize police resources, particularly police escort services, without the requisite written authorization of the Minister for the Interior or the Inspector General of Police acting on behalf of the Minister”.
Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin
The directive makes it clear that police escort services are to remain subject to legal and administrative controls rather than individual discretion. The Speaker further informed Members that the Ghana Police Service had received instructions to strictly enforce the directive.
He said enforcement measures would include the removal and seizure of unauthorized sirens, the withdrawal of unauthorized police escort services, and legal action against individuals who violate the regulations.
“The communication further indicates that the Ghana Police Service has been directed to enforce the directive, including the removal and seizure of unauthorized sirens, the discontinuance of unauthorized police escort services, and the institution of appropriate legal action where necessary”.
Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin
The measures signal a stricter approach to regulating the use of emergency equipment and police resources by public officials and private individuals alike.
Speaker highlights road safety and public confidence
Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the misuse of sirens has wider implications beyond breaches of administrative rules.
He said the indiscriminate installation and use of sirens undermines road safety, weakens public confidence in lawful authority, and reduces the effectiveness of emergency and security agencies that genuinely require priority access on public roads.
“Accordingly, I encourage all members to take note of the contents of the Directive and to ensure that in the use of police resources, police escort services and sirens, members act at all times in accordance with the Constitution, the laws of Ghana and all lawful administrative requirements”.
Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin
Bagbin urges MPs to seek guidance where necessary
Recognizing that questions may arise regarding the practical application of the directive, the Speaker advised Members to use the appropriate institutional channels whenever clarification is needed.
He stressed that adherence to proper procedures would help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that Members remain compliant with the new requirements.
Speaker Bagbin concluded by reaffirming the Office of the Speaker’s commitment to working closely with the Executive, the Ghana Police Service, and other relevant institutions on issues relating to security operations and parliamentary privileges.
He said those engagements would seek to protect the independence of Parliament while strengthening democratic governance and serving the broader public interest.
The directive now places Members of Parliament and other users of police resources on notice that unauthorized use of police escort services and sirens could attract enforcement action as the Ghana Police Service begins implementing the government’s new measures.
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