Andy Appiah-Kubi on why MPs should be exempted from joining 'traffic congestion' same as all other road users

The Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has justified why Members of Parliament should be exempted from joining traffic congestion same as all other road users.

Defending 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, Mr Appiah-Kubi said the public debate specifically against MPs being added to other individuals to be exempted was "unfair."

Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Mr Appiah-Kubi attempted to justify the rationale behind the amendment and argued that the amendment aims to enhance productivity and ensure timely arrival at Parliamentary meetings, 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.

“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.”