Siren use amendment aimed at boosting productivity of MPs – Appiah-Kubi

Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has defended a proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations that would allow MPs to use sirens and exempt them from speed limits while carrying out official duties.

Appiah-Kubi described the public backlash against the move as unfair and explained the rationale behind the amendment in an interview with journalists.

He argued that the amendment aims to enhance productivity and ensure timely arrival at Parliament, considering the heavy traffic conditions in Accra.

He cited examples of MPs, state ministers, and judges being arrested for trying to meet their schedules, emphasising the need for a legal solution.

The MP stressed that the exemption would only be necessary during congested periods and clarified that it is not about privilege, but about efficiently executing their constitutional duties.

Appiah-Kubi expressed disappointment at the public backlash, calling it unfair and motivated by hatred, jealousy, and mistrust.

“We have witnessed situations where some members of parliament and even state ministers and even some judges have been arrested on the road because they are trying to meet their work schedule. And you go to the police, you go to the Attorney General, you go to the IGP, he says, I implement the law as given and that I cannot help the situation because the law says that.

“So the remedy is to amend the law to make it lawful for people like that, to be able to have special access where necessary.”

“And indeed, when you are driving on the road in the early hours of the day or late hours of the day, you don’t need any siren or you don’t need any special access. It is when there is congestion on the road and there is also the need for you to meet deadlines by way of time, that need will arise.

“And when it does arise, it is to do your assigned duty for Mother Ghana. So I don’t see why we have to impugn hatred, impugn jealousy, impugn mistrust into the provision. It is omnibus and it covers a lot of institutions, so attempts to single out one particular institution for rebuke is not fair.”