The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman has described the recent challenge and disagreements over the Speaker’s directive by some MP as an attempt to allow the Legislature to be subdued by the Executive.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has stated his intention to cite the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah for contempt of Parliament if he fails to withdraw his directive on the cessation of collection of road tolls.

“The Executive on their own cannot suspend the implementation of that law. That is not democracy. I want to clearly direct that what the Minister (of Roads) has released has no effect. I call him to withdraw that directive,” the Speaker said in a statement.

This directive by the Speaker has stirred controversy as members of the Majority have disagreed with him.

According to the Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta Akyea, the Speaker’s decision is not a resolution by Parliament hence cannot stand in law.

“I am of the humble view that this is not a resolution of Parliament. Parliament did not resolve that the Minister should retract his statement. The Speaker is not Parliament, a resolution of Parliament is a resolution taken by Parliament…to condemn a man without hearing him flouts the natural justice principle,” he told JoyNews.

Meanwhile, speaking on Joy FM's Top Story, on Friday, Dr Rasheed Draman said, “what we are seeing being played out from the beginning of this eighth Parliament is an attempt by some members rather than strengthening the authority of the Legislature to make sure that Parliament continues to be subdued by the Executive. I don’t think that this is good for our Legislature.”

The Roads and Highways Ministry in a statement explained that the earlier directive on the cessation of the collection of tolls on public roads and bridges was intended to save lives and property and not to suspend the law.

“The insistence of the toll collectors to have the tolls paid caused serious confusion and, in some cases, resulted in fisticuffs and damage to lives and property.

It was to avert further unfortunate incidents that the Ministry intervened by issuing the directive,” a statement from the Ministry said.