Cement price regulation: Withdraw L.I – Bagbin advises KT Hammond

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has advised Trade Minister K.T. Hammond to withdraw the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) on cement price regulation, following constitutional concerns raised by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.

The L.I., introduced on July 2, is scheduled to mature into law after 21 sitting days. However, Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu challenged the Ghana Standards Authority's legal authority to regulate prices.

"The Ghana Standards Authority Act 2022, Act 1078, Section 80 uses the words 'sale' and 'advertising'; this is about pricing. Do they have a mandate to regulate based on Section 80? That is constitutional. The Ghana Standards Authority is an institution to regulate standards, not pricing. Mr. Speaker, Ghana cannot go this low," the Tamale South MP argued.

The debate prompted Speaker Bagbin to recommend a reevaluation of the L.I. by the Trade Minister.

"Honourable members, the danger is that, by the standards set by Article 11(7), this House may not be able to measure up to that two-thirds majority required to annul an instrument that the House itself is convinced has no legal basis. That is the challenge and danger," Speaker Bagbin stated.

He further advised, "I will advise, I’m not directing, that the sponsors of the instrument should take a second look at it. And if possible, withdraw and rephrase it in the appropriate language to come within the statutory limits that we have. It’s just advice, not a directive."