The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has firmly stated that he does not require sirens as part of his duties in Parliament.
Dumelo’s comments come amid the ongoing debate about MPs’ use of sirens to navigate traffic.
Speaking on the matter, Dumelo emphasized that, in his view, having sirens is unnecessary for an MP, suggesting that their use should not be seen as a privilege for elected officials. “Personally, I don’t need sirens as a Member of Parliament,” Dumelo said.
However, Dumelo’s position contrasts with that of A Plus, the newly elected MP for Gomoa Central, who has shifted his stance on the issue.
A Plus, known in real life as Kwame Asare Obeng, had previously criticized MPs advocating for sirens but admitted that his experience as an MP has changed his perspective.
In an interview on Joy FM’s DriveOnJoy, A Plus shared that his new responsibilities made him realize the logistical challenges MPs face, particularly when trying to fulfill their parliamentary and constituency duties within a short time frame.
He recounted an instance when he had to attend both parliamentary proceedings and a national event, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention in Gomoa Pomadze, which was scheduled simultaneously.
He explained that having access to a dispatch rider and potentially sirens would have significantly eased his ability to perform his duties effectively, especially when balancing activities in far-reaching constituencies like Paga.
This renewed debate on the use of sirens by MPs brings us back to the controversial proposal made in July 2024 by the Ministry of Transport.
The proposal sought to amend the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (LI 2180), granting MPs, Ministers of State, and Supreme Court justices the right to use sirens and be exempt from speed limits.
The proposal, however, was met with widespread public criticism, particularly from the opposition minority in Parliament, and was ultimately rejected.
Personally, I don’t need sirens as a member of Parliament. – Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Hon. John Dumelo pic.twitter.com/irfsLvzzaN
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) January 12, 2025
