Parliament should take legal action against Akufo-Addo for refusal to sign ‘Witchcraft’ bill – Sam George

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has proposed that Parliament take legal action against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his refusal to assent to the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023 (Witchcraft bill).

President Akufo-Addo recently declined to give his approval to both the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023 and the Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2023, citing constitutional concerns.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, had earlier criticized the President for not expressing his position on the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to criminalize attacks on suspected witches.

In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Samuel Nartey George accused the President of overstepping the authority of Speaker Alban Bagbin, emphasizing that the President possesses ‘absolutely no powers’ to impede the bill’s progress.

He criticized the President for violating the 1992 constitution and insisted that legal action should be pursued if the President does not reverse his decision.

“Parliament must go to the Supreme Court to seek interpretations of Article 108. The president is not the ultimate in this country when it comes to the law. The speaker has served notice that the president’s actions are unconstitutional and are a breach of the Constitution.”

He added, “I hold the view that the actions of the President are unconstitutional and even constitute grounds for impeachment. Because the President is flouting the Constitution in such a blatant manner. How can a witchcraft bill be interpreted by the President to be financial matters? And for those reasons, the President arrogates to himself powers that he doesn’t have. He’s usurping the constitutional powers of the Speaker. We can’t sit down and allow that. I believe that if the President does not rescind his decisions, Parliament must take him to court. We should take him to the Supreme Court for the court to rule. The President has absolutely no powers under Article 108.”