Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, has expressed surprise and disapproval over a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) allegedly granting Members of Parliament (MPs) privileges such as the use of sirens and exemption from speed limits. The L.I., aimed at amending Road Traffic Regulations, has sparked controversy and calls for withdrawal from opposition lawmakers.
Addressing concerns during a public lecture on private member bills at the University of Ghana, Bagbin emphasized that Parliament lacks constitutional authority to amend regulations directly. He stated, “There is nothing like that before parliament, and so I thought something was being done behind my back.” Bagbin further indicated that upon investigation, none of his directors had seen such a proposal, leading him to conclude that the issue needed to be corrected.
He clarified, “We don’t amend regulations as per the constitution. So, it cannot be true because Parliament doesn’t have that power. Power has been relegated to other bodies.”
The proposal has ignited debate within Ghana’s legislative circles, with opposition M.P.s demanding immediate action to retract the contentious L.I. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions regarding legislative processes and the delegation of regulatory powers within the country.
