Parliament To Sue Akufo-Addo Over Refusal To Sign Witchcraft Bill

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Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has disclosed the intention of the legislature to seek legal clarity on President Akufo-Addo's failure to approve specific bills, notably the Witchcraft and Ghana Armed Forces Bills. 

Distinctively asserting the separation of powers, Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the assessment of discretionary use of power lies within the domain of the Judiciary, not under the purview of the Executive, represented by the President.

Related To This: President Akufo Addo Reveals Why He Cannot Sign Witchcraft Bill

In response to the President's refusal to grant assent to these bills, the Speaker of Parliament formally stated that President Akufo-Addo's actions were unconstitutional and declared the legislature's resolve to contest this in the Supreme Court. Bagbin, a former Nadowli Kaleo Member of Parliament, urged the President to desist from such actions, suggesting that they cast aspersions on his standing.

Speaker Bagbin underscored that the determination of any unconstitutionality falls squarely under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, reaffirming that concerns about Parliament's adherence to its constitutional authority should be addressed through legal action before the Supreme Court, rather than through executive fiat.

Referring to the constitutional discretion vested in the presiding officer of Parliament, he highlighted the need for any allegations of misuse of this discretion to be adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction, emphasizing the role of the judicial branch in resolving such matters.

Related To This: Speaker Bagbin Storms Jubilee House Over Witchcraft Bill Assent

Notably, President Akufo-Addo had declined to sign the Criminal Offences Bill of 2022, the Witchcraft Bill, and the Armed Forces Bill of 2023, citing their financial implications. A salient point of contention arose from the financial burdens associated with replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment in the Ghana Armed Forces Amendment Bill, particularly sponsored by MP Francis-Xavier Sosu.

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