The scheduled encounter between Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, aims to address the perceived confusion surrounding the assent of the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill, 2023, specifically focused on outlawing witch doctors and witch-finding practices.
The Speaker of Parliament announced on Monday, November 27, 2023, that he had not yet received a response from the president regarding the bill that had been passed in previous meetings.
The majority leader and minister for parliamentary affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, explained that the bill had not been sent to the president due to some errors that needed to be fixed.
The minority accused President Akufo-Addo of violating Article 106(7) of the constitution, but the Presidency denied this, stating that the bill had only been received the day before. In response to a question from Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu, the Speaker of Parliament said that he is scheduled to meet with the President at the Jubilee House today.
Related To This: Delay In President's Assent For Witchcraft Bill Raises Concerns
Background
The Office of the President has clarified that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has not declined to assent to the Criminal Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2023, contrary to the sentiments expressed earlier. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, had previously voiced displeasure over the alleged silence of the President regarding the bill.
In the midst of this intricacy, it emerged on Monday, November 27, 2023, that despite Parliament having passed the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, aimed at criminalizing accusations of witchcraft, the President was yet to assent to it, drawing concern from members of the legislature.
The Minority, led by MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, raised issues concerning purported constitutional breaches due to the delay in the President's assent. The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, defended the President, pointing out technical challenges in the bill that were being addressed through consultations with the Speaker.
Noticing that the bill, despite being passed, had reappeared on the Order Paper for contemplation, Speaker Bagbin promptly removed it, emphasizing the importance of Parliament's credibility and presence of mind in its proceedings.
Presidential Explanation
In response to these developments, the Office of the President clarified that the Bill was officially presented to the President on the same day Speaker Bagbin made the accusation. Additionally, the bill, sponsored by the MP for Madina, aims to curb attacks on alleged witches and proscribe the activities of witch doctors and witch-finders. The President, intent on due diligence, ensured the bill was given the necessary attention, thereby countering assertions implying otherwise.
CLARIFICATION ON THE STATUS OF THE CRIMINAL OFFENCES (AMENDMENT)
(NO.2) BILL, 2023
The Office of the President has noted recent media reports
suggesting that the
President has declined to
assent to the Criminal Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill,
2023 (the “Bill”), a
legislative measure aimed at amending the Criminal Offences
Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Indeed, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, is
reported, on Monday, 27th
November, to have “rebuked Akufo-Addo over ‘silence’
on the Criminal Offences
Amendment Bill”.
It is important to state, at the outset, that the amendment is
specifically designed
to outlaw the roles of witch
doctors or witch-finders, in addition to prohibiting the
act of declaring, accusing,
naming, or labelling an individual as a witch, alongside
other related matters.
Contrary to the claims made in these reports by the Speaker of
Parliament and the
Minority Caucus in Parliament,
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 27th November
2023, with reference
PS/CS/112/826. (See attachment).
It is, thus, wholly inaccurate that the Bill has been sitting on
the desk of the
President without receiving
due attention.
President Akufo-Addo is mindful of Article 106 (7) of the
Constitution, which affords
the President seven (7) days
to review and give his assent to any Bill presented to
him. In light of this
constitutional provision, it is important to note that the
President is still well within
the legally stipulated timeframe to make a decision
regarding the Bill.
During this period, the President may examine the bill
thoroughly and, if necessary,
convey any concerns or suggestions he might have
regarding its 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 utmost
respect for constitutional mandates and legislative
processes.
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