A recent amendment to Ghana’s road traffic regulations has sparked significant debate among lawmakers and the public.

The new rules, which have excluded the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice from the list of high-ranking officials permitted to use sirens and motorcades, have ignited controversy, with several prominent politicians voicing their concerns.

The changes, introduced as part of a revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.), were met with sharp criticism from the former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu. He argued that the exclusion of the Speaker of Parliament, who holds the third-highest position in the country, from these privileges is a grave oversight.

“Without personalizing it, it is not Alban Sumana Bagbin. It is the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, and he is not entitled to a motorcade or a police siren? In my view, Mr. Speaker, it is wrong for the number three to be out of this privilege.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, former Minority Leader

Hon. Iddrisu further highlighted the exclusion of the Chief Justice, expressing his disapproval.

“The Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana is also out of the Motor Traffic Regulation and not entitled to it. Mr. Speaker, you can keep a minister and member of parliament, but this republic has four important personalities; the president, the vice president, the speaker, and the chief justice.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, former Minority Leader

The exclusion of these top officials from motorcade privileges has raised questions about the priorities and rationale behind the new regulations.

The original version of the L.I. had already faced significant public backlash, particularly over similar proposals that would have allowed Members of Parliament (MPs) to use sirens and motorcades.

This controversy led to the withdrawal of the earlier proposal, but its reintroduction with certain modifications has not quelled the concerns.

The revised L.I. has once again brought the issue into the spotlight, with lawmakers expressing their unease. Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin was particularly vocal about the potential impact of these regulations on the effectiveness of MPs in carrying out their duties.

“Politicians are always in a rush to save their heads when there is a crisis, but sometimes, we can have a collective fall. We know the challenges we face coming from home and going to our constituencies.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader

Hon. Majority Leader’s comments underscore the difficulties MPs often face, particularly in managing their time and responsibilities across different locations.

Hon. Afenyo-Markin defended the use of sirens by MPs, emphasizing that the privilege is not one that would be abused.

“It is not that a Member of Parliament, by virtue of having a siren, will use it every day. We belittle ourselves. You are a politician, and you cannot take public bashing and go and explain to the public?” he queried, stressing the need for MPs to be afforded certain privileges to perform their roles effectively.

Speaker’s Call to Defend Parliamentary Privileges

In the wake of the controversy, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin addressed the issue directly, urging MPs to stand firm in defending their positions. His remarks suggested that the ability of MPs to lead and make difficult decisions, even in the face of public criticism, is crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the country’s democracy.

“Today, when you are talking about a major democracy and spineless Parliament, leadership matters. You must be prepared to take responsibility and defend your positions.
“If the people knew like you, they would not elect you to lead them, and so they expect you to lead them and be able to persuade them that you are doing so in their interest.”
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin

Speaker Bagbin’s comments reflect a broader concern about the perceived weakening of parliamentary authority and the need for lawmakers to assert their roles more vigorously. The exclusion of the Speaker from motorcade privileges is seen by some as symbolic of a larger issue—where the importance of Parliament in the governance structure is being downplayed.