Parliament has agreed to a request from the government for the House to consider the Imposition of Restrictions Bill under a certificate of urgency.
The Minority side in Parliament had earlier argued that there was nothing urgent about the Bill to warrant the government’s request.
They insisted that the Bill will give the president access to unlimited power.
But the Majority side insisted that the Bill must be passed to back measures put in place by the government to help deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision on whether to pass the Bill under a certificate of urgency was subsequently decided though a vote.
The Minority however raised concerns about the number of MPs in the House that approved the decision and threatened court action.
The Imposition of Restrictions Bill is aimed at giving the president the powers to impose restrictions on the movement of people in the event of a disaster or emergency.
The emergency legislation was brought to Parliament in accordance with Article 21 (4) (c) and (d) of the Constitution.
Minority rejects request to consider Bill under certificate of urgency
The Minority in Parliament had earlier rejected the government’s request for the Imposition of Restrictions Bill to be passed under a certificate of urgency.
According to Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee Of the House, Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Bill is too broad and does not concern itself specifically with dealing with the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Speaking to Citi News, the Bolga East MP said the Minority side “want a Bill that is narrowly tailored to deal with the coronavirus.”
“This is a Bill that is intended to give the president overboard powers to restrict freedom of movement, freedom of speech and even freedom of thought,” he said.
After the Minority Chief Whip made similar comments, Dr. Ayine also said the Public Health Act was enough comprehensive legislation to deal with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“There are adequate legal provisions in existence to deal with the matters that are going to be addressed by this Bill. So it is an unnecessary grant of authority to the president to restrict movement,” he argued further.
About the Restrictions Bill
This Bill acknowledges the general fundamental freedoms guaranteed under article 21 of the Constitution but also takes into account the fact that the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution are subject to laws that are supposed to be in the interest of public safety and public health as provided in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause (4) of Article 21 of the constitution.
Its purpose is to provide powers to impose restrictions on persons in the event of a disaster, emergency or similar circumstance, to ensure public safety and protection.
It also allows for the imposition of restrictions on the freedom of entry into Ghana or movement in Ghana of a person who is not a citizen of Ghana.
