The Minority in Parliament has described as illegal the decision by the Roads and Highways Ministry to suspend the implementation of the National Roads Authority Act.
The Act merged the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, and the Department of Feeder Roads.
However, just a few weeks into its implementation, the new Roads and Highways Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has suspended the Act.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, February 11, former chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee and MP for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, stated the Act was passed by Parliament and that Article 93(2) makes it clear that legislative authority is vested in the House to make any changes.
He demanded urgent action from Parliament to address what he described as an illegal act.
“Mr Speaker, it is an illegal attempt by the Ministry (Roads and Highways) to suspend an Act which has been passed by Parliament without any recourse of the House.
“If the Ministry has any issue with the Act, the best remedy or the procedure they have to take is to come to the House and make sure the proper thing is done,” he stated.
Mr Nyarko continued; “For them to unilaterally issue a press statement to suspend an Act of Parliament which Members of this House passed this very important Act just for the Ministry to turn away – I’m surprised the minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza under his supervision, he will allow such an illegality to happen.”