A recent update to Ghana’s road traffic regulations has excluded the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice from the list of high-ranking officials permitted to use sirens and motorcades in their official vehicles.

Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu criticized decision, arguing that the Speaker of Parliament should be entitled to these privileges.

“Without personalising it, it is not Alban Sumana Bagbin. It is the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament and he is not entitled to a motorcade or a police siren? In my view Mr Speaker, it is wrong for the number three to be out of this privilege,” Mr. Iddrisu said.

He also highlighted the exclusion of the Chief Justice, asserting: “The Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana is also out of the Motor Traffic Regulation and not entitled to it. Mr Speaker, you can keep a minister and member of parliament but this republic has four important personalities; the president, the vice president, the speaker and the chief justice.”

The Legislative Instrument (L.I.) in question had previously been withdrawn following public backlash over similar proposals for Members of Parliament (MPs).

The renewed scrutiny has raised concerns among lawmakers. Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed apprehension that the exclusion could hinder MPs in performing their duties effectively.

“Politicians are always in a rush to save their heads when there is a crisis but sometimes, we can have a collective fall. We know the challenges we face coming from home and going to our constituencies,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.

He defended the use of sirens by MPs, arguing: “It is not that a Member of Parliament, by virtue of having a siren, will use it every day. We belittle ourselves. You are a politician and you cannot take public bashing and go and explain to the public?”

In response, Speaker Bagbin urged members of Parliament to assertively defend their positions.

“Today, when you are talking about a major democracy and spineless Parliament, leadership matters. You must be prepared to take responsibility and defend your positions. If the people knew like you, they will not elect you to lead them, and so they expect you to lead them and be able to persuade them that you are doing so in their interest,” the Speaker emphasised.