The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of his failure to comply with the provision of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to assent into law the Anti-Witchcraft Bill passed by parliament in July 2023.
Commenting on the issue on the floor of Parliament, the Minority Leader, Honorable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson described President Akufo-Addo’s refusal to assent the bill into law after its passage by Parliament as a disregard and non-compliance of the laws of the country.
The Ajumako Enyan Essiam Member of Parliament, thus urged Parliament to take immediate steps to hold President Akufo-Addo accountable if he continues to refuse to assent the bill into law.
“So clearly Mr. Speaker there is a constitutional breach and this house must take steps to deal with the constitutional breach that we have seen in the criminal amendment bill and the witchcraft accusation bill. And Mr. Speaker it’s important that we take steps to deal with that. And the constitution guides us as to what we have to do if the president fails to assent to bills that have been approved by this house”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
President Akufo-Addo Urged To Inform Parliament About His Inability To Assent Bill Into Law
Meanwhile, the Tamale South Member of Parliament and Former Minority Leader, Honorable Haruna Iddrisu called on President Akufo-Addo to officially write to Parliament and indicate the reason he has refused to assent the Anti-Witchcraft Bill passed by Parliament into law.
According to the Former Minority Leader, the 1992 Constitution specifically Article 106 mandates President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to inform Parliament formally in any instance where he is unable to assent to a bill passed by Parliament.
“The constitution provides that where the president refuses to assent to a bill he shall within 14 days after the refusal: a) State in a memorandum to the speaker any provisions of the bill which in his opinion should be reconsidered by parliament including his recommendation for amendment if any; or b) Inform the speaker that he has referred the bill to the council of state for consideration or comment under article 90 of this constitution”
Honorable Haruna Iddrisu
Moreover, the Tamale South lawmaker expressed deep concerns about the possible danger the President’s conduct portends to the country’s democratic governance and parliamentary democracy as well if not checked.
He noted that if Parliament failed to hold President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo accountable as enshrined by the provision of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the situation could set a very bad precedent for future President to follow which could also go a long way in undermining the works of Parliament.
“Mr. Speaker I am raising this issue because this house should never serve a precedent where the president refuses to assent to a bill and can walk away as if he has the mandate and authority to do so. If he has, he owes this house the fidelity to the provisions of article 106 of the constitution. Other than that some important bills tomorrow may pass and the president will walk this wrong path. It’s wrong constitutionally, he has no reason, if he has reason he must write to you formally”.
Honorable Haruna Iddrisu
Nearly five months after Parliament passed the Anti-Witchcraft Bill which seeks to criminalize accusations of ‘witchcraft’ and the practices of ‘witch-finders’, President Akufo-Addo has still not assented the bill to law as it is required by the 1992 constitution amidst growing demands from various stakeholders for President Akufo-Addo to assent the bill into law.
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