NPP MP for Sekondi Constituency, Andrews Kofi Egyapa Mercer says South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor's argument that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should have sought permission from parliament before lifting COVID-19 restriction is “totally baseless”.
The NDC MP had argued in an earlier interview with Akwasi Aboagye on Neat FM's "Ghana Montie" show since the COVID-19 Restriction Act was an Executive Instrument okayed by Parliament, the President needed to use a similar method to lift it.
“The COVID-19 Restriction Act was passed by parliament to give the president the power to execute these Executive Instruments.”
"If the mother act, which is the COVID-19 Restriction Act, says if you are not wearing a face mask in a public place, it is an offence under the law, there are now two ways about it.’
"The government should have brought some of the amendments so that Parliament will repeal some of the provisions under the COVID-19 Recovery Act to give the president the mandate to reopen the country's borders,"
"You (Akufo-Addo) are the one who came to parliament to say you want to close the borders, and we accepted it. If you are reopening it, you have to come back to parliament." Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor argued in an interview with NEAT FM.
However, Andrews Kofi Egyapa Mercer sharply disagreed – he explained that Executive Instruments (EIs) do not need parliamentary approval.
"Executive Instruments (EIs) are not Legislative Instruments (LI) which are laid in parliament, debated and voted upon. Executive Instruments are from the power of the president, so what should he come and do in parliament?" he said on the same platform.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has announced that wearing a nose mask is no longer mandatory from Monday, March 28, 2022.
Also, other COVID-19 restrictions are all lifted with immediate effect.
".....outdoor functions at sporting events, entertainment spots, political rallies and funerals may resume at full capacity, again, as long as all persons at these events are fully vaccinated," President Nana Addo stated during Sunday night's address.
Adding that all of Ghana's land borders are opened.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Teach them more about the processes. Ignorance galore on the part of some of these NDC MPs With this education FREELY given him and others out there for that matter, they eat humble pie and thank Agyapa Mercer
So is Rockson who happens to be a lawyer not aware of the fact that withdrawal of Executive Instruments do not require parliamentary approval or he is just doing his usual propaganda? Being in opposition does not mean you criticize everything the government does even if your criticism does not make sense. A whole lawyer making this argument publicly is a shame.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE NDC PEOPLE? THEY WANT TO CRITICIZE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING ON EARTH. AAAABBBA. AND THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING TOO. THIS IS SIMPLE - EXECUTIVE INSTRUMENT and LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENT. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE AND THIS DIFFERENCE THE NDC MAN DOES NOT SEE, OR IS IT FOR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE SAKE, OR HE ONLY NEEDS TO BE HEARD.