The Minority Leader Dr. Cassie Ato Forson has accused President Akufo-Addo of breaching the constitution by his failure to assent to the amendment to the Criminal and Other Offences Act within the stipulated time.
He argued that the President’s failure to assent to the bill is in breach of the constitution and has thus called on parliament to take action against the president should he continue to hold out.
The Criminal and Other Offences Act amendment was passed in July this year to criminalise accusations of witchcraft and the practices of witch-finders.
However, the President was yet to give presidential assent to the bill.
Speaking on the matter, the Minority Leader said “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 and 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,” he said.
He was supported by Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu who stated that as stipulated in Article 106() the president is mandated to inform the house in writing why he has been unable to assent to the document.
“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.”
He added that should Parliament refuse to act to put the President in check, this might set a very dangerous precedent which could cause the nation dearly in the future.
“Mr. Speaker I am raising this issue because this house should never ever 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,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
