The private member bill sponsored by 3 Members of Parliament to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment and criminalize the activities of witch doctors, has been rejected by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a letter to the lawmakers, the President indicated his reasons for not assenting to the bill, mentioning that these bills would have a substantial financial impact on the consolidated fund and other public funds.
“Therefore in light of this significant impact, these bills should not have been introduced with the fiscal impact analysis. Access to such an analysis precludes these bills from being properly classified as private member’s bills. The legislative power entrusted to parliament comes with responsibilities to ensure that all enacted laws comply with the constitutional provisions safeguarding the nation’s fiscal integrity and avoiding the principles of governance.” And in addition stating that it was a breach of article 108 of the constitution 1992.
However the Speaker of Parliament Mr. Alban Bagbin holds a difference of opinion with the President. Mr. Alban Bagbin in his address to parliament disagreed with the President saying the President’s position was “tragically wrong” and was “ill-informed”.
Setting aside the President’s concerns, Mr. Bagbin firmly asserted that President Akufo Addo’s assessment on the bills’ financial implications was misguided.
The Speaker of Parliament declared that the president was tactically wrong and that it was not for the president to decide the constitutionality or otherwise of the bill brought before the lawmakers and considered. He added that Parliament’s power could not be taken away by any execute authority.
Witchcraft and Armed Forces Amendment Bill Controversy
