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The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has revealed Parliament’s intention to pursue legal action seeking clarification on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s decision not to sign certain bills passed by the House.
Last year, President Akufo-Addo declined to give his assent to the Criminal Offences Bill of 2022, the Witchcraft Bill, and the Armed Forces Bill of 2023, citing financial concerns as the primary reason for his refusal.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the President’s explanation, some members of the House’s leadership are now contemplating legal action, as indicated by the Speaker. Bagbin emphasized that the constitutionality of the bills falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, challenging the President’s authority to make such determinations.
In response to President Akufo-Addo’s identification of financial burdens associated with bills such as the Ghana Armed Forces Amendment Bill, the Speaker clarified that any concerns about Parliament exceeding its constitutional authority should be addressed through legal channels, specifically by bringing the matter before the Supreme Court.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin underscored that the constitutional discretion vested in the presiding officer of Parliament, in accordance with Article 108 and subject to Article 296, implies that any allegations of misuse of this discretion should be adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction rather than being preemptively decided by the President.
In light of these developments, Parliament is gearing up for a legal battle, signaling a potential clash between the legislative and executive branches over the refusal to sign these significant bills.
