President Akufo-Addo Withholds Assent to Three Bills, Citing Constitutional Concerns

President Akufo-Addo has declined to give his assent to three bills, namely the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, the Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2023, and the Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023. 

The president communicated this decision to Parliament in a letter read by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

The president's refusal to assent to the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, which seeks to criminalise attacks on alleged witches, had drawn criticism. 

Speaker Alban Bagbin had earlier expressed his displeasure at the President's failure to communicate his stance on the bill.

In a letter dated November Monday, 27, 2023, President Akufo-Addo clarified that he had not received the three bills passed by Parliament until that date. 

The presidency further dismissed suggestions that there was a deliberate decision not to assent to the bills.

However, in a recent letter to Parliament, President Akufo-Addo communicated his inability to assent to the bills until associated constitutional matters are resolved. 

The Speaker of Parliament read the letter to members of the House, stating that the President noted constitutional concerns related to the bills' passage.

“In the communication from his excellency dated 27th November 2023, he signifies pursuant 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,” Speaker Alban Bagbin reported.