U-turn on sirens for MPs: NDC are liars, cowards; beware when dealing with them — Kwamena Duncan to Ghanaians 

Former Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan is warning Ghanaians against trusting the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urging them to vote wisely on December 7.

His comments follow the recent controversy surrounding a proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations that would allow Members of Parliament to use sirens and exempt them from speed limits.

The proposal faced significant public backlash, leading the NDC Minority to call for its revocation.

In their statement, the Minority expressed strong opposition to the amendment, aligning themselves with public sentiment.

"The report of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee is yet to be brought to the floor for debate and discussion. However, given the sentiments expressed so far, Members of the NDC Minority Caucus wish to make it abundantly clear that we stand with the Ghanaian public on this issue and wish to signal our opposition to the amendment without any reservations.

“Therefore, 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.

“The government must redirect its attention to addressing the germane 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," the Minority’s statement said.

However, Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh, countered the Minority's stance, revealing that it was initially the NDC who suggested including MPs in the use of sirens.

He expressed shock at their sudden denial, accusing them of hypocrisy.

"I was rudely shocked when I saw that statement. Even though from my sources, it appears to be a personal statement he had issued. Members of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee were engaged extensively by the Minister of Transport because he wanted to pick their views on the Amended Legislative Instrument," he expressed.

He added, "In the 2012 L.I. the Vice-President doesn’t have a provision, the Chief Justice and the Speaker of Parliament were all not included in those privileges. And for that matter, the Transport Minister intended to include the Vice-President, Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice. Then there was a strong suggestion led by the Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Hon. Dominic Ayine who insisted that the Members of Parliament be captured in the L.I. But the Transport Minister resisted it. But the Minority NDC MPs made it a condition else they won’t participate."

Reacting to this on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Kwamena Duncan criticised the NDC, calling them "liars" and "cowards."

He accused the Minority of hypocrisy and deceit, urging Ghanaians to be wary of their actions and statements.

"Beware of the NDC when dealing with them...They don't have the courage or conviction that this is what we said; this is what we proposed. You don't like it, fine, we agree; we withdraw but you turn around to make it seem someone made the proposal, it means you are a liar. You don't tell the truth and don't deserve to be given the power to rule this nation," he stated.