The Government of Ghana has withdrawn the contentious Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aimed at amending the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180).
The announcement was made by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.
Addressing Parliament, Korsah stated, “Mr Speaker, I rise to move that the Road Traffic Regulation Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, 2024, be withdrawn.
Mr. Speaker, this has become necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership. Therefore, it is so withdrawn.” This decision was driven by significant public and stakeholder concerns.
The proposed amendment sought to grant Members of Parliament, Judges, Ministers, and other essential service members the privilege to use sirens and be exempt from speed limits during official duties, which sparked substantial public backlash.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament, led by Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson, was particularly vocal against the amendment.
In a statement dated July 16, 2024, Forson urged the Transport Minister to withdraw the Instrument and instructed NDC members to oppose it at the committee level and to vote against it en bloc.
The collective opposition from the Minority Caucus, along with widespread public discontent, ultimately led to the government’s decision to retract the amendment.
