Renowned media personality, Bridget Otoo, has vented her spleen against Ghanaian legislators over their decision to introduce a Legislative Instrument (LI) proposing amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.
The Ministry of Transport initially proposed the LI to amend portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012. The amendment aimed to grant Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State privileges typically reserved for emergency and specialized vehicles.
Specifically, it sought to amend Regulation 74 of LI 2180 to allow sirens or bells to be fitted as warning appliances on vehicles owned by Supreme Court justices, MPs, and Ministers of State.
Reacting to the issue in a post on X dated July 16, Bridget Otoo noted that the MPs are considering an initiative that ridicules their capabilities to lead the country.
She further noted such an LI is a reason the recent protests that have seen the Kenyan government face intense backlash from Kenyans, amid numerous deaths and destruction, must also happen in the country.
“MP’s listen! You are fooling too much in this country! This is why Kenya must happen in Ghana,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Instrument (LI) proposing amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 has been withdrawn from Parliament.
The decision was announced by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, who acted on behalf of the Transport Minister.
This move follows significant backlash from the public and various stakeholders.
“The withdrawal became necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership,” Mr. Korsah explained.
He continued, “Mr. Speaker, I would like to move that the Road Traffic Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, be withdrawn… it is so withdrawn.”
The proposal faced strong opposition from both the public and the Minority in Parliament. The Minority issued a press statement urging the Transport Minister to withdraw the LI before it matured in 21 days.
They also pledged to vote against the LI if it reached the chamber, stating, “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 LI when it is brought to the floor.”
Critics argued that the LI represented an abuse of privileges and detracted from pressing national issues.
They urged the government to prioritize addressing critical challenges such as the high cost of living, food inflation, unemployment, high fuel costs, the depreciation of the cedi, and a high tax regime driving businesses to relocate to neighbouring West African countries.