Accra, – Parliament today approved an amendment to the Textile Designs Instrument (LI 1633) to revise fees for registration and extension proceedings. The new regulations and the corresponding fees will become operational within 21 sitting days. Under the amendment, an extension of copyright design for five more years will attract 60,000 cedis. Subsequent extensions will cost 60,000 cedis. Application fees for the registration of a textile design ranged between 10,000 cedis and 25,000 cedis. The approval was not without reservations from Squadron-Leader Clend Sowu (NDC-Anlo), Mr Agyare Koi-Larbi (NPP-Akropong) and Mr Kosi Kedem (NDC-Hohoe south). Sqn-Ldr Sowu asked why fees chargeable for similar categories of application requiring the same amount of materials and services, vary. Mr Koi-Larbi called for the justification of fees quoted under the instrument but added that although such fees are revised periodically, there is little improvement in the services rendered. Mr Kedem felt uncomfortable about the use of Legislative Instruments to make laws which need ”to be well scrutinised”, especially in the revision of fees, because Legislative Instruments do no He hoped a way could be found around the relevant constitutional provisions to enable members to have the opportunity to debate and amend similar proposals. Mr Justice Daniel F. Annan, the Speaker, said while he appreciates the sentiments of Mr Kedem, he believes that Parliament could create a procedure to address his concern. Nana Akufo Addo, chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee which considered the instrument, had reported that the revision was necessary because of the general price increases in the coun
