Majority, Minority Chief Whips demand end to insurance exemption for government vehicles

Majority and Minority Chief Whips have called for an end to the insurance exemption for government vehicles, arguing that it complicates compensation claims for crash victims. In a joint statement to Parliament on November 4, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor and Frank Annoh-Dompreh emphasized the need to amend the law and provide immediate insurance coverage for state fleets.

They criticized the government for not extending the same equal treatment and public trust it demands from private citizens. The Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, 1958, currently exempts government-owned vehicles when used for official purposes, but the whips contend this undermines fairness. In 2022, Parliament reports indicated that 98-99% of the over 18,000 government vehicles were uninsured.

Moreover, a July 2024 crash involving an uninsured school bus near Koforidua left victims without insurance compensation. The whips argued that self-insurance without a dedicated fund is insufficient, as victims may face complicated processes like petitioning ministries or suing the Attorney-General. They stressed that insurance would provide enforceable rights and predictability for government costs.

Their demands include amending Act 42 with the National Insurance Commission and Attorney-General, requiring immediate insurance for all ministries, departments, and agencies, and registering their fleets on the Motor Insurance Database. Additionally, they requested insurance premiums be included in the 2027 Budget and a published audit of government vehicles and insurance status.

The whips acknowledged past inaction by successive administrations and urged a unified response, stating, "Mr Speaker, a State that asks its citizens to insure must be willing to insure itself."