The Member of Parliament for Ning-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has proposed that Parliament take legal action against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his refusal to sign the contentious Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023 into law.
Several days ago, President Akufo-Addo declined to give his assent to both the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023 and the Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2023.
This decision was criticized by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on November 27, 2023, who pointed out the President’s failure to communicate his position on the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to criminalize attacks on suspected witches.
In response, the Presidency asserted that it had not received the bills from Parliament until November 27, 2023, and denied any intention to withhold assent to the bills.
In a letter to Parliament on December 4, President Akufo-Addo explained that he could not assent to the bills until constitutional concerns associated with them were resolved.
Expressing his displeasure in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, MP Samuel Nartey George argued that the President is overstepping the authority of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. He emphasized that the President lacks the power to obstruct the passage of the bill and criticized him for violating the 1992 constitution.
George insisted that if the President does not reverse his decision, Parliament should take legal action by approaching the Supreme Court for an interpretation of Article 108.
He suggested that the President’s actions are unconstitutional and could even be grounds for impeachment, as they involve a blatant violation of the Constitution.
George emphasized that the President has no authority under Article 108 and called for the matter to be brought before the Supreme Court for a ruling.
