The Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, the Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2023, and the Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023 have not received President Akufo-Addo’s assent.
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, on November 27, 2023, chastised the President for neglecting to inform Parliament of his position on the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to make attacks on accused witches illegal.
However, a communication from the Presidency denied receiving the bill together with two other bills passed by Parliament until November 27, 2023. The Presidency also dismissed suggestions that the Presidency had decided not to assent to the Bills.
In a letter to Parliament on Monday, December 4, President Akufo-Addo communicated to the House that he is unable to assent to the three bills until their associated constitutional matters are resolved.
The letter was read to members of the House by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. He said the president in his letter noted that upon review he noted some constitutional matters related to its passage that must be addressed before he assents to them.
“In the communication from his excellency dated 27th November 2023, he signifies according to article 106, clause 7 that he is unable to assent to the criminal offenses number 2 bill 2023 because, upon review of the bill, he noted some constitutional matters relating to its passage.”
The Speaker went on to say that President Akufo-Addo has not yet informed the House of the precise constitutional issues that need to be resolved before he signs the three laws.
