Parliament has by a unanimous decision, passed the Imposition of Restrictions Bill 2020. The law empowers the President to provide for restrictions in accordance with C, D and E of Article 21(4) of the Constitution.
By this, the President may by Executive Instrument, acting in accordance with relevant authorities, impose restrictions for a period not exceeding three months, in case of an emergency, a disaster or a similar circumstance, in the interest of public health, public safety and protection.
According to the Provisions, the restrictions may be renewed subsequently for a period not exceeding one month at a time.
Any class of persons who go contrary to the restrictions imposed shall be liable for a fine not less than one thousand penalty units, which amount to 12 thousand Ghana cedis and not more than five thousand penalty units, amounting to 60 thousand Ghana cedis or to a term of imprisonment or to both.
President Akufo Addo last Sunday issued some directives including a ban on public gatherings, conferences and religious activities, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The new law, therefore, seeks to give legal backing to the directives and provide for sanctions for offenders.
The Minority had earlier expressed some misgivings about the Bill, claiming that it gave too much powers to the President to curtail the rights and freedoms of citizens.
However, upon further deliberations, both sides of the House, agreed on some amendments to the original Bill, paving the way for its final passage.
The next stage is for the President to Assent to it to come into force.
