As much as it celebrates these successes, the Administration has been also been hit with various scandals and controversies.

This piece examines what could be described as a yield to public pressure in the New Patriotic Party government’s push for some major policies.

In July 2017, Government sought to implement a mandatory vehicle towing levy previously approved by Parliament in 2012. Under the programme, vehicle owners and or operators were to pay various annual compulsory sums in anticipation of a tow service when and wherever their vehicles broke down.

Commercial vehicles and taxes were to pay GH¢40, whereas mini buses were to pay GH¢80. Heavy duty trucks were to pay between GH¢80 and GH¢200 annually, depending on their tonnage. Non-commercial vehicles were however expected to pay GH¢20. But the policy did not receive the expected support. Added to the largely social media backlash, the PPP’s 2016 Presidential Candidate, Dr. Nduom described the policy as smelly.

In his words;

This smells badly. Chop chop for whom? At whose expense? Let those who flaunt the law pay and leave the rest of us alone. (emphasis supplied)

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) also had a field day with the by now unpopular policy.

Watchers of the Insurance industry were not left out. In the end government announced a withdrawal of the policy in a statement signed by Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, which read;

Upon consultations consequent to the calls, government has decided to seek a review of parts of the law. (emphasis mine)

Well, the people wondered; should the broader consultations not have been done before the attempt to implement a law even its makers thought was extortionist?

And it also came to light in December 2017 that the National Service Scheme announced a controversial life insurance cover for serving personnel.

Under the policy, each of the over 90,000 personnel was to be compulsorily deducted GHc15g monthly.  Social Media exploded almost immediately! Some of the Service Persons dragged the Scheme before Court while others petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Executive Director of the Scheme under the Mahama Administration, Kpessah Whyte perhaps summed up the general public concern when he described the policy as a “daylight robbery.”

Again, the cries of the people reached the ears of the government, and the policy, through the National Service Secretariat, was withdrawn…

The insurance policy for national service personnel has now been made optional… Management has therefore decided to suspend the mandatory monthly deduction of Ghc15.00 from personnel allowances. (emphasis mine)

As if government and its agencies had not taken enough heat, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) at the dawn of 2018, started levying persons registering their vehicles a compulsory GHc108 each for first aid kits.

The Minority in Parliament raised an alarm, triggering a fresh wave of social and traditional media bash against the Authority.

Frantically as the DVLA defended the policy, its supervising Ministry, the Transport Ministry, denied all consent of, or concurrence to it; and the Minority demanded a probe.

Well, once more, the listening government, in the words of Deputy Transport Minister Titus Glover, came to the rescue. The ordinary driver got a reprieve.

In all of these instances however, questions remain of the conduct of government business.

Why would a government that seeks to eliminate entirely, nuisance taxes allow its agencies to impose such fees, fines, levies and charges, and do it so wrongly?

Is central government really unaware of these illegal impositions?  Then who protects the public interest, I shudder to think.

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By: Sixtus Dong Ullo

The writer is a broadcast Journalist at Citi 97.3fm

Email: [email protected]

The post ‘Illegal’ policy impositions; who protects the public interest [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The meeting which is aimed at deliberating on the way forward on how to remove broken down vehicles on the road has been slated for September 7, 2017.

A public notice issued by the Ministry of Information said the meeting will be held at the Office of the Senior Minister located at the Office of the President Annex, near the Passport Office in Accra.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0pAyfYwg8Ty87FwnZslqJ8IA9oT9GIuL”]The statement said: “In line with government’s efforts to remove the hazard of broken down/disabled vehicles on our roads, the Ministry of Transport invites all companies engaged in towing services to a meeting as follows: Thursday 7^th September, 2017. Time: 3pm. Venue: Office of the Senior Minister. Office of the President Annex. Near the Passport Office, Accra.”

Background

Statistics from the Road Safety Commission revealed that broken down vehicles accounted for a huge number of accidents on Ghanaian roads.

Following this revelation, the government of Ghana approved a nationwide towing programme in 2012, but it was to take effect on July 2017.

Commercial vehicles and taxes were to pay GH¢40, mini buses were to pay GH¢80, while heavy duty trucks were to pay between GH¢80 and GH¢200 annually, depending on their tonnage, and have the Road Safety Management Services Limited (RSMSL) tow their vehicles anytime it breaks down on the road.

Non-commercial vehicles were expected to pay GH¢20.

But most Ghanaians kicked against the levy claiming it was a total rip-off, and that individuals must be made to pay for broken down vehicles to be towed, rather than a mandatory levy across board.

Others also questioned why the contract was given to one company for the next twenty years.

Following the massive public uproar, the Akufo-Addo government halted the implementation of the policy.

A statement signed by the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, explained that government took the decision after “extensive consultations between the Minister of Transport and stakeholders in the transport sector.”

It however served notice there was going to be further consultations on the best way to deal with the challenge of broken down vehicles going forward.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Senior Minister to meet companies on towing levy appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News in Takoradi on the sidelines of an NPP youth programme, Mr Awuku noted that “the Ghanaian people spoke strongly against it [the tow levy] and president Akufo-Addo and his government has also taken a firm position that they are not implementing it…once the Ghanaian people don’t like it, I don’t see why we should impose it on them.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”LaiG9tgsuNfN6btu4YJdLW43AWwP0jkf”]Government announced that it will no longer implement towing levy which was scheduled to commence on July 1, 2017.

A statement signed by the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah explained that government took the decision after “extensive consultations between the Minister of Transport and stakeholders in the transport sector.”

Mr. Awuku said the law was propounded in 2012 and was to take effect in July 2017 but the NPP government is treading cautiously in order not to incur any unwarranted judgment debt for the country.

“We inherited a challenge from the previous government and then we also had to find way of making sure that we don’t incur debt on the other side but also listening to the very people who gave us the mandate,” he added.

Background

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) was expected to begin a nationwide towing programme in July 2017, to ensure that all vehicles that breakdown on highways are cleared off the roads.

For this reason, drivers were required to pay a road safety fee ranging between GHC 10 and GHC 200 in addition to their road worthy certification fees.

Commercial vehicles and taxes were to pay GH¢40, mini buses were to pay GH¢80, while heavy duty trucks were to pay between GH¢80 and GH¢200 annually, depending on their tonnage.

Non-commercial vehicles were expected to pay GH¢20.

The Road Safety Management Services Limited (RSMSL), the company which was contracted to tow the broken down vehicles has already acquired some 118 trucks ahead of the implementation, for the exercise.

But several persons kicked against the policy and called on government to scrap claiming it was a total rip-off .

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Tow levy: We had to listen to Ghanaians – Sammy Awuku appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He believes the move is aimed at unlawfully extorting monies from drivers.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uV9fmkOyYyEFZY9e2iUtFYcpNSHx4VCi”]Dr. Nduom wondered why there are plans underway to charge drivers extra mandatory towing levy when the law already mandates the government to tow vehicles that are wrongly parked on roads for a fee.

“Existing laws allow government to tow vehicles wrongfully parked on our roads and charge a fee accordingly. So why assume that we will all engage in illegal parking and require towing and as a result make it mandatory for all vehicle owners to pay a road towing fee every year?” he asked in a statement.

He believes government should let those who “flout the law pay and leave the rest alone.”

Tow levy a total rip-off?

The NRSC has been criticised for attempting to introduce a nationwide towing programme, to ensure that all vehicles that breakdown on highways are cleared off the roads.

Drivers would be required to pay a road safety fee ranging between GHC 10 and GHC 200 in addition to their road worthy certification fees if the tow tax is implemented.

But several pressure groups and civil society organizations have kicked against the policy, calling on government to scrap it immediately.

Despite these calls, the Roads and Transport Committee of Parliament has recommended that government goes ahead with the implementation.

No decision taken yet on tow levy – Transport Ministry

Government has however indicated that it has not taken a decision on the implementation yet.

The Transport Ministry on Friday served notice that it is holding consultations with various stakeholders including the Parliamentary Select Committee on roads and transport on the way forward.

The Ministry in the statement further stated that the views of all stakeholders will be considered to enable it make an informed decision on the matter.

“Thereafter, the Ministry’s decision will be communicated to the general public,” the statement added.

The entire statement from Dr. Nduom is below 

Democratization of Indiscipline on our Roads?

Existing law allow government to tow vehicles wrongfully parked on our roads and charge a fee accordingly.

So why assume that we will all engage in illegal parking and require towing and as a result make it mandatory for all vehicle owners to pay a road towing fee every year?

This smells badly. Chop chop for whom? At whose expense?

Let those who flout the law pay and leave the rest alone.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Tow levy “smells badly” – Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

There has been a revived public backlash against the implementation of the law following Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee’s recommendation for full implementation.

But speaking on GBC’s reporter’s roundtable on Thursday, the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Company, Roland Walker, maintained that the levy is appropriate.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MtZspo5TWHgpDjz1z9O6EKMMLM81AyM9″]“If there are accidents and people need some sort of emergencies and care there will be either a call through the National Ambulance service or an ambulance fleet that will be available by service providers all within the society to come and help through a properly structured scheme of things just like it’s done in the developed countries.”

Tow levy is a rip-off

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) is expected to begin a nationwide towing programme, to ensure that all vehicles that breakdown on highways are cleared off the roads.

For this reason, drivers are required to pay a road safety fee ranging between GHC 10 and GHC 200 in addition to their road worthy certification fees.

Commercial vehicles and taxes will pay GH¢40, mini buses will pay GH¢80, while heavy duty trucks will pay between GH¢80 and GH¢200 annually, depending on their tonnage. Non-commercial vehicles are expected to pay GH¢20.

RSMSL has already acquired some 118 trucks ahead of the implementation, for the exercise.

But several persons have kicked against the policy calling on government to scrap it immediately.

Anti-corruption group, CitizenGhana Movement earlier called on government to immediate repeal the new levy.

The group, in a four (4) point statement copied to citifmonline.com described the service as a “bad idea” that has trappings of a corrupt “create, loot and share” scheme.

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By: Sixtus Dong Ullo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Road Safety Management defends controversial levy appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.