The Minority in Parliament has condemned in no uncertain terms, a letter from the Secretary of the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, demanding Parliament to desist from attempts to submit the Anti-LGBTQ/Gay Bill to the Presidency.
According to the Minority, the act is a slap on the face of Ghana’s democracy. Former caucus leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, addressing the media in Parliament Tuesday, March 19, 2024, indicated that the President’s actions have given him sleepless nights.
He explains President Akufo-Addo is only exhibiting his quest to take control over the other organs of the government to undermine the Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.
“…and I’m unable to sleep because this thing is a monumental threat to Ghana’s democracy and a monumental threat to Parliament as an institution. By Article 93 we are afloat with legislative authority and legislative mandate.
“This letter only reflects President Nana Addo Dankwa’s quest of predominance over other organs of State. That is unacceptable and that must be fought by all persons who love democracy and who cherish the principles and values of the 1992 Constitution,” he explained.
He urged the Clerk of Parliament to disregard the letter since it meant nothing.
“So ideally, this paper means nothing and should be ignored by the Clerk because communications to Parliament must be communications signed by the President, addressed to the Speaker of Parliament as is provided by our Standing Orders, whether old or new,” he noted.
Background
The Office of the President, pending two Supreme Court applications, asked the House of Parliament to refrain from submitting the Anti-LGBTQ/Gay bill to the Presidency for assent.
The order followed an allegation from the Presidency that Parliament attempted submitting the Bill to the Office for the President to sign.
The Presidency says until the reliefs in the two matters are interpreted by the apex court, the President cannot take a decision on the bill.
The applications seek to prevent Parliament from sending the Bill to the President and to restrain the President from signifying his assent to it, pending the final determination of the matter.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the Parliament Monday, March 18, 2024, Nana Bediatuo Asante, indicated that, Parliament was aware of the two applications since it was served in both instances, and submitting the document for approval or otherwise was not appropriate.
“It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suits,” the statement said in some parts.
It added that the Attorney-General also advised the President not to take any action concerning the Bill until the issues raised by the suits are resolved by the Supreme Court.
The Office further stated that it is established law that during the pendency of an interlocutory injunction application, the status quo ante should be maintained, and no action should be taken that could prejudice the injunctive relief sought and undermine the authority of the court.
“In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved,” it added.
