Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has dismissed calls for the withdrawal of the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aimed at regulating cement production and pricing in a strong rebuttal to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent recommendation
Addressing the media, Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that the constitutional concerns raised by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, which led Speaker Bagbin to suggest the withdrawal of the L.I., are misplaced.
He asserted that the revised L.I. has thoroughly addressed all previous issues and that further action is unnecessary.
“Every concern raised by members of the Subsidiary Legislation and in respect of amendment to the L.I. got incorporated into the new L.I., so nothing is outstanding as it is today, based on the deliberation report from the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, we have come out with the new L.I.,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin explained.
He also refuted claims made by some MPs that the L.I. aims to control cement prices, a misconception he attributes to misleading interpretations.
“One of their [Minority] colleagues misled the House by saying that we are by this instrument seeking to control prices of cement. This is not going to do so, you’re interpreting the documents, you don’t just read a long title, and you don’t read a heading and then assume that is what the document says,” he clarified.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin had advised Trade Minister K.T. Hammond to withdraw the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) on cement price regulation, following constitutional concerns raised by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.
The L.I., introduced on July 2, is scheduled to mature into law after 21 sitting days.
However, Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu challenged the Ghana Standards Authority's legal authority to regulate prices.
“The Ghana Standard Authority Act 2022, Act 1078, section 80 uses the word sale and advertising; this is pricing. Do they have a mandate to regulate based on section 80? That is constitutional. The Ghana Standards Authority is an institution to regulate standards, not pricing. Mr. Speaker, Ghana cannot go this low,” the Tamale South MP argued.
The debate prompted Speaker Bagbin to recommend a reevaluation of the L.I. by the Trade Minister.
“Honourable members, the danger is that, by the standards set by Article 11 (7), this House may not be able to measure up to that two-thirds majority to annul an instrument that the House itself is convinced has no legal basis. That is the challenge and danger,” Speaker Bagbin stated.
He further advised: “I will advise, I’m not directing, that the sponsors of the instrument should take a second look at it. And if possible, withdraw and capture it in the appropriate language. To come within the statutory limits that we have, it’s just advice, it’s not a directive.”