Government has withdrawn the controversial Legislative Instrument (L.I.) seeking to amend the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180).
The L.I. was withdrawn by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.
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He announced the withdrawal in a formal statement on Parliament’s floor, acknowledging the concerns raised by the public and stakeholders.
“Mr Speaker, I rise to move that the Road Traffic Regulation Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, 2024, be withdrawn. Mr. Speaker, this has become necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership. Therefore, it is so withdrawn,” he stated.
The Instrument sought to grant Members of Parliament (MPs), Judges, Ministers and other essential services the privilege to use sirens and exempt them from speed limits while performing their official duties.
The proposed amendment sparked significant public backlash and opposition from various quarters, including the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
The Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson in a statement dated July 16, 2024, called on the Transport Minister to immediately withdraw the said Legislative Instrument before it matures into law after 21 sitting days.
It further directed its members to vote against the Legislative Instrument.
The NDC Minority Caucus has taken note of the public sentiment expressed in respect of the proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180), which were laid in Parliament by the Hon. Minister of Transport on 14th June, 2024."
“We have instructed all our Members on the Committee to strongly oppose it at the committee level.
“We have also directed all 137 NDC Members of Parliament to vote en bloc against the Legislative Instrument when it is brought to the floor,” portions of the statement said.
