Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has advised Trade and Industry Minister K.T. Hammond to reconsider the Legislative Instrument (L.I) concerning cement price regulation.
This recommendation comes after former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu raised constitutional objections.
The L.I, presented to the House on July 2, is scheduled to become law after 21 sitting days. However, Haruna Iddrisu has questioned whether the Ghana Standards Authority has the legal authority to regulate prices under existing legislation.
“The Ghana Standards Authority Act 2022, Act 10 (78), section 80 refers to sale and advertising, which encompasses pricing. Does this fall within their constitutional mandate?” questioned Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu. “The Ghana Standards Authority’s role is to regulate standards, not pricing. Ghana should not stoop to this level.”
Following deliberations in Parliament, Speaker Bagbin advised Minister Hammond on the potential consequences of proceeding with the L.I.
“Honourable members, there is a risk that we may not achieve the required two-thirds majority to annul an instrument that the House believes lacks legal foundation, as per Article 11 (7),” cautioned Bagbin. “Therefore, I recommend, not mandate, that the sponsors of the instrument reconsider its content. If feasible, it should be withdrawn and revised to conform with legal standards. This is advice, not an order.”
Bagbin’s counsel reflects ongoing legislative scrutiny over the legal basis for the proposed cement price regulations.
