Kick out MPs who proposed L.I on sirens, speed limits – Kofi Bentil

Senior Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Kofi Bentil, has called on Ghanaian electorates to vote against Members of Parliament who proposed the controversial Legislative Instrument (L.I) that would have allowed parliamentarians, judges, and other public officials to drive with sirens and without speed limits.

According to him, events leading to the withdrawal of the controversial L.I show the critical role of citizens in monitoring politicians' actions, warning that neglecting this duty could lead to the implementation of such measures.

“L.I. 21, 18 in particular, had been abused, and we had to fight. Do you remember when the toll levy was passed in the same L.I.? I had to get up. IMANI, we had to get up and fight for it to be repealed; otherwise, we would all be paying taxes now to a private person. So, I am happy it has been repealed, but it tells us something: the process of lawmaking and leadership does not only require MPs but all of us to be vigilant. And people were aware that people put that in, and those people who put those in, mark them and vote them out,” he stated on Newsfile on JoyNews.

The controversial L.I., which aimed to amend parts of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, was withdrawn from Parliament. The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, withdrew the L.I. on behalf of the transport minister, citing public and stakeholder concerns.

He noted that the withdrawal followed extensive engagement with leadership.

But according to Kofi Bentil, apologies from the MPs are insufficient and that they should be removed from office.

He underscored the importance of addressing the mindset behind proposing such measures.

Bentil pointed out that instead of solving public issues, parliamentarians sought to exempt themselves using state resources.

He warned that passing the law could have led to fatal accidents caused by reckless MPs driving over the speed limit with sirens, all within the bounds of the law.

GA/BB