President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s refusal to assent to some three bills passed by Parliament has warranted another criticism from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who has raised concerns over the implications of the President’s act on Ghana’s democracy.
The Speaker has said Mr. Akufo-Addo’s failure to sign the three documents has dented the system of governance Ghana has adopted –democracy.
According to Speaker Bagbin, the President’s stance would adversely impact Private Members’ Bills in the future.
The President, when presented with the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, 1 and 2, and the Ghana Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023, indicated that the bills would have financial implications on the state’s coffers aside from the fact that it should have been pushed from his outfit rather than coming as Private Members’ Bills.
He cited Article 108 of the Constitution as his reason for refusing to sign the bills, adding that the consolidated fund would also suffer.
Presented by the Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu, President Akufo-Addo specifically noted that the Ghana Armed Forces Amendment Bill, will have financial burdens associated with replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment.
Despite the Speaker’s initial reservations expressed over the President’s stance, he has, in an official statement, responded to President Akufo-Addo saying his reasons are unrealistic, considering the fact that every bill has financial implications on the state.
Mr. Bagbin also noted that the future of Private Members’ Bills is at stake.
“Article 106(8) clearly outlines the protocol for presidential refusal to assent, which involves specifying objections for Parliamentary reconsideration, not a blanket rejection of the bill.”
“This approach, as taken by the President, not only contradicts the constitutional procedure but also poses serious implications for the future of Private Members’ Bills, as it implies an unrealistic standard where virtually every bill could be construed as having financial implications,” the Friday, December 29, 2023 statement by Mr. Bagbin contains in some parts.
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