Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 Act 1012

IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ACT, 2020 (ACT 1012)
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
1. Object
2. Imposition of restrictions
3. Circumstances for imposition of restriction
4. Duration of restriction
5. Exemptions
6. Offences and penalties
7. Interpretation
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of restrictions
3. Circumstances for imposition of restriction
4. Duration of restriction
5. Exemptions
6. Offences and penalties
7. Interpretation
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ACT 1012
REPUBLIC OF GHANA
THE ONE THOUSAND AND TWELFTH
ACT
OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
ENTITLED
IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ACT, 2020
AN ACT to provide for the imposition of restrictions in accordance with paragraphs (c), (d)
and (e) of clause (4) of article 21 of the Constitution, and for related matters. DATE OF ASSENT: 21st March, 2020. PASSED by Parliament and assented to by the President:
Section 1—Object
The object of this Act is to provide for powers to impose restrictions on persons, to give effect
to paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause (4) of article 21 of the Constitution in the event or
imminence of an emergency, disaster or similar circumstance to ensure public safety, public
health and protection. Section 2—Imposition of restrictions
(1) The President may, acting in accordance with the advice of relevant person or body, by
Executive Instrument, impose restrictions specified in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause (4)
of article 21 of the Constitution.

person or body, by
Executive Instrument, impose restrictions specified in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause (4)
of article 21 of the Constitution.

(2) An Instrument made under subsection (1) shall include provisions in respect of—
(a) the specific restriction to be imposed;
(b) the duration of the restriction;
(e) the person to whom the restriction applies;
(d) the geographic area to which the restriction applies;
(e) the facts and circumstances for the provisions in paragraphs (a) to (d); and
(f) any other matter incidental to the attainment of the object of this Act. 2

acts and circumstances for the provisions in paragraphs (a) to (d); and
(f) any other matter incidental to the attainment of the object of this Act. 2

Section 3—Circumstances for imposition of restriction
(1) The President may impose a restriction under subsection (1) of section 2 where the
restriction—
(a) is reasonably required in the interest of defence, public safety, public health or the running
of essential services;
(b) is reasonably required on the movement or residence within Ghana of any person or
persons generally, or any class of persons;
(c) is required to restrict the freedom of entry into Ghana, or movement in Ghana, of a person
who is not a citizen of Ghana; or
(d) is reasonably required for the purpose of safeguarding the people of Ghana against the
teaching or propagation of a doctrine which exhibits or encourages disrespect for the
nationhood of Ghana, the national symbols and emblems, or incites hatred against other
members of the community. (2) The imposition of the restriction under subsection (1) shall be reasonably justifiable in
accordance with the spirit of the Constitution. Section 4—Duration of restriction
(1) A restriction impose under subsection (1) of section 2 shall be for a period of not more
than three months.

ion. Section 4—Duration of restriction
(1) A restriction impose under subsection (1) of section 2 shall be for a period of not more
than three months.

(2) Despite subsection (1), the President may, by an Exective[sic] Instrument, where the
exigencies of the circumstances require
(a) shorten the duration of the restriction; or
(b) extend the duration of the restriction for not more than one month at a time but in any
event for not more than three months. (3) For the purpose of subsection (2), "exigencies of the circumstances" include:
(a) an increase or decrease of the intensity of the disaster, emergency or similar circumstance;
or
(b) a significant change in the nature of the disaster, emergency or similar circumstance. Section 5—Exemption
Where the circumstances make it expedient not to impose a restriction on certain persons or
geographic areas under subsection (1) of section 2, the President may, by an Executive
Instrument under that subsection, provide for an exemption.

or
geographic areas under subsection (1) of section 2, the President may, by an Executive
Instrument under that subsection, provide for an exemption.

Section 6—Offences and penalties
A person who fails to comply with a restriction imposed under the Executive Instrument issued
under subsection (1) of section 2 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a
fine of not less than one thousand penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units
or to a term of imprisonment of not less than four years and not more than ten years or to both. 3

units and not more than five thousand penalty units
or to a term of imprisonment of not less than four years and not more than ten years or to both. 3

Section 7—Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
"disaster" includes an occurrance by which there is serious disruption of general safety
endangering the life and health of many people or large material interests which requrire[sic]
co-ordinated action by services of different disciplines and flood, earthquate[sic], drought,
rainstorm, war, civil strife or industrial accident; and
"essential services" include
(a) water supply services;
(b) electricity supply services;
(e) health and hospital services.
(d) waste management services;
(e) air traffic and civil aviation control services;
(f) meteorological services;
(g) fire services;
(h) air transport services;
(i) supply and distribution of fuels;
(j) telecommunications services; and
(k) public and private commercial transport services.
Date of Gazette Notification: 21st March, 2020.
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