President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo does not seem happy about the use and abuse of sirens in vehicles by some Ministers, government officials and appointees.
He has therefore issued what appears to be a final warning to those in the act of abusing blurring sirens to stop or face the music.
A statement from the presidency dated May 19, 2021 titled ‘Abuse of the use of sirens by Ministers and other government officiala’ said “kindly note that the directive on the abuse of the use sirens by Ministers of State and other Government Official is still in force.”
It quoted Regulation 74 (3) of LI 2180 which clearly specified the categories of vehicles that a siren or bell may be fitted as a warning appliance including “a government vehicle used for official purposes by the Headof State, a Police vehicle, a motor vehicle used by the Fire Service, motor vehicle used as an ambulance by a hospitalor clinic, a motor vehide used by other recognized gvernment secutity agencies; and a bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing Authority.”
For the avoidance of doubt, the notice said the said ban on the use of sirens covers the government appointees including “Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Regional Ministers and Deputy Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), CEOS of Government Agencies and Officials of the Presidency unless otherwise designated.”
The statement therefore warned that “‘any vehicle outside the above listed categories which is fitted with a siren or bell is thus in contravention of the law and the operator is liable to prosecution.”
By Charles Takyi-Boadu