The Presidency has debunked accusations leveled against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regarding a supposed delay in assenting to the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and Minority in Parliament on Monday accused the president of delaying to assent to the Criminal Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2023 (the Bill).
However, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr. Eugene Arhin refuted the claim, indicating that President Akufo-Addo is well within the legally stipulated timeframe to make a decision on Bill.
The amendment of Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), has been amended to outlaw the roles of witchdoctors or witch-finders, in addition to prohibiting the act of declaring, accusing, naming, or labelling an individual as a witch, alongside other related matters.
The statement from the Presidency, said contrary to the claims by Speaker Bagbin and Minority caucus, President Akufo-Addo has not remained silent on the bill.
“How could the Speaker of Parliament accuse the President of remaining silent on the Bill when it was officially presented to him on Monday, 27th November 2023, the same day the Speaker made the accusation?
“Indeed, the Bill was officially presented to the President for his assent together with the Wildlife Resources Management Bill, 2023 and National Petroleum Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, under cover of a letter dated 27. November 2023, with reference PS/CS/112/826.
“It is, thus, wholly inaccurate that the Bill has been sitting on the desk of the President without receiving due attention,” the statement pointed out.
It emphasised that President Akufo-Addo is fully aware of the constitutional mandate, which allows seven days for the President to review and give assent to any Bill presented to him.
“President Akufo-Addo is mindful of the Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, which affords the President seven days to review and give his assent to any bill presented to him.
“In the light of this constitutional provision, it is important to note that is still well within the legally stipulated timeframe to make decision regarding the Bill. During this period, the President may examine the bill thoroughly and, if necessary, convey concerns or suggestions he might have regarding the contents to Parliament.
“The Office of the President assures the public and media that Bills, including this current Bill, the Criminal Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2023, are being attended to with the outmost respect for constitutional mandates and legislative process,” the statement concluded.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina Francis-Xavier Sosu was the sponsor of the Private Member’s Bill, which was passed in July this year.
Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu was the first to raise concerns regarding the supposed lack of action on the part of the President on the floor of Parliament.
Responding to the Minority, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged the delay and disclosed that major challenges had been identified in the bills.
Expressing his disappointment, Speaker Bagbin highlighted that the President had not formally communicated to him regarding the bills, despite the significant time that had elapsed since their passage in July.