Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has instructed the National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament to cast their vote against the new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that seeks to amend parts of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.

The proposed L.I., currently before Parliament, aims to grant Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State certain privileges previously reserved for emergency and specialized vehicles.

The amendment to Regulation 74 of L.I. 2180 will allow the installation of sirens or bells as warning devices on vehicles owned by Supreme Court justices, MPs, and Ministers of State.

This legislative change is intended to facilitate the movement of these officials, who often face demanding schedules requiring travel to multiple locations for meetings and official duties.

The proposed amendment has sparked debate among various stakeholders, with some advocating for its potential benefits in improving governmental efficiency, while others raise concerns about the broader implications of extending such privileges to elected officials.

The report of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee is yet to be brought to the floor for debate and discussion.

Given the sentiments expressed so far, Members of the NDC Minority Caucus say they stand with the Ghanaian public on this issue and "wish to signal our opposition to the amendment without any reservations."

In a press statement dated July 16, the Minority Leader noted that "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 Legislative Instrument when it is brought to the floor."

According to him, "the government must redirect its attention to addressing the germain issues facing the people of Ghana at the moment such as high cost of living, food inflation, unemployment, high cost of fuel, the depreciation of the Cedi and the high tax regime which is forcing businesses to relocate to neighbouring countries in West Africa."

Meanwhile, the NDC MPs have called on the Minister of Transport to immediately withdraw the said Legislative | Instrument before it matures into law after 21 sitting days.