Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has called for an urgent overhaul of the procedures governing the laying of Legislative Instruments (LIs) in Parliament.
His demand for reform comes in light of recent controversies surrounding the handling of a Legislative Instrument that sought to amend the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.
The proposed LI, which aimed to permit Members of Parliament, Ministers, and judges to use sirens and drive without speed limits, was withdrawn on Tuesday following widespread public outcry. Ablakwa’s call for reform underscores concerns about the transparency and accessibility of legislative processes.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Ablakwa revealed that he first encountered the controversial LI not through official parliamentary channels but on Facebook, despite his active role as a Member of Parliament.
He pointed out that many MPs, including himself, did not have access to the document when it was initially laid before Parliament in June 2024.
“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.