Tamale South Member of Parliament and former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has strongly criticized the exclusion of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, from the list of high-ranking public officials permitted to use a motorcade or police siren.
His remarks came after a new road traffic Legislative Instrument (L.I.) was laid before Parliament, which notably omits the Speaker and the Chief Justice from these privileges.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Iddrisu underscored the importance of the Speaker’s role within Ghana’s governance framework. He argued that it is inappropriate for the Speaker, who holds the third-highest position in the country, to be excluded from the use of a motorcade or police siren.
“Without personalizing 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,” Iddrisu stated.
Mr Iddrisu further highlighted that the Chief Justice, another key figure in the Republic, is also excluded from the Motor Traffic Regulation.
He emphasized that the governance of Ghana relies on the leadership of four principal personalities: the President, the Vice President, the Speaker, and the Chief Justice. Excluding any of these figures from such privileges undermines their role and significance.
The Legislative Instrument had been previously withdrawn following public backlash over a proposal to grant Members of Parliament (MPs) similar privileges. However, the issue has resurfaced with the new L.I., leading to further debate.
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin echoed concerns about the exclusion, suggesting that it could hinder MPs and other officials in carrying out 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,” he noted.
Afenyo-Markin also criticized the tendency of some MPs to shy away from defending their privileges and responsibilities, urging them to take a more assertive stance.
“We belittle ourselves. You are a politician, and you cannot take public bashing and go and explain to the public? Even you have MPs criticizing Article 71 benefits that they have benefited from, and we hear them on radio, and they continue to benefit? We have to take our democracy a little more seriously,” he argued.
In response to the ongoing debate, Speaker Bagbin encouraged MPs to stand firm and defend their positions when necessary. He emphasized the importance of leadership, reminding them that they are elected to serve and improve the lives of the people they represent.
“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,” Bagbin stated.
Bagbin also highlighted the significant role of MPs and the President, pointing out that they are the only two individuals directly elected by the people every election year.
“There are only two people elected on December 7 every election year, and they are the President and the MP, and the two of you are to lead the people to make their condition better,” he concluded.