Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a public apology following the government's controversial attempt to amend the Road Traffic Regulations, which would have allowed Members of Parliament (MPs) and state officials to use sirens and be exempt from speed limits.
The proposed amendment sparked significant public outrage, prompting Bagbin to initially distance himself from the legislative instrument's introduction in the house.
In a formal address to the house on Monday, Bagbin expressed regret over the situation.
"Following the opposition's firm stance against the L.I., the government has decided to withdraw the proposed amendments...We recognize the public 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 stated.
To prevent such issues in the future, Bagbin announced new standing orders for a pre-laying process in the introduction of legislative instruments. This process aims to ensure thorough review and scrutiny before any instrument is officially presented in the house.
"Parliament has empowered the subsidiary legislative committee with a critical mandate. The committee's responsibilities include ensuring that proposed subsidiary legislation aligns with the constitution, Acts of Parliament, and other laws; detecting any potential inconsistencies, ambiguities, or concerns in the proposed legislation; and offering inputs and recommendations to refine and improve the proposed legislation," the Speaker explained.
He further emphasised the importance of this pre-laying process, mandating that anyone intending to lay a legislative instrument must engage with the subsidiary legislation committee for a comprehensive review beforehand.
NAY/ ADG
