Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that he first encountered the controversial Legislative Instrument (LI) allowing the use of sirens and exempting certain officials from speed limits on Facebook, rather than through official parliamentary channels.
His revelation has sparked calls for an urgent review of the procedures governing the laying of LIs in Parliament.
The proposed LI, which sought to amend the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 to permit Members of Parliament, Ministers, and judges to use sirens and drive without speed limits, was withdrawn on Tuesday following widespread public outcry.
Mr Ablakwa’s discovery of the LI on social media underscores significant concerns about the transparency and accessibility of the legislative process.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Mr Ablakwa expressed his frustration with the current system, noting that many MPs, including himself, did not have access to the document when it was initially laid before Parliament in June 2024.
“I first heard of the ‘Siren L.I.’ on Facebook,” he stated, highlighting a critical lapse in the dissemination of essential legislative information. Despite his active role as a Member of Parliament, Ablakwa was surprised to learn about the LI through social media rather than through official channels.
“We have to admit that this matter has not covered Parliament in glory. There are so many pieces to this puzzle that Parliament itself must review. That is why I put out a statement saying that we need to conduct an investigation into this matter and the way LIs are laid,” Ablakwa said.
He criticized the current system, where only members of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee have early access to LIs, leaving other MPs without copies until the 21-day review period is over.
“It is wrong, we have turned the whole procedure upside down. So that portion of our constitution and our Standing Orders needs urgent review,” he emphasized.