President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has declined to assent to the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2023 and the Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023.
In a letter to Parliament on Monday, December 4, President Akufo-Addo said he could not assent to the three bills until their associated constitutional matters were resolved.
“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 Offences number 2 bill 2023 because, upon review of the bill, he noted some constitutional matters relating to its passage,” Speaker Alban Bagbin read to the House.
The Speaker said that President Akufo-Addo has not yet communicated to the House the specific constitutional matters that must be addressed before he can assent to the three bills.
Mr. Bagbin had earlier expressed worry that President Akufo-Addo had not formally communicated to them regarding the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill despite the significant time that had elapsed since its passage in July.
The Office of the President insisted that the bill was presented to President Akufo-Addo on Monday, November 27, 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,” the statement said.