United Party communicator, Solomon Owusu, has criticized former President Akufo-Addo’s handling of the previous LGBTQ+ bill, claiming that constitutional mechanisms were available if he had qualms.
Owusu cited the Constitution’s Article 106(8), which describes the procedures a president must follow in order to refuse to ratify a measure.
He quoted the clause in the constitution, saying, “When a president refuses to assent to a bill, he shall, within 14 days after the refusal, state in a memorandum to the Speaker any specific provisions of the bill which, in his opinion, should be reconsidered by Parliament.”
Owusu says that the previous president ought to have properly informed Parliament of any disagreements he had with the Act.
“All that he needed to do was state it in a memorandum and give reasons,” he argued in an interview.
Owusu dismissed claims that the president could not take action on the law because of legal procedures.
“There is absolutely no law that bars any president from assenting to a bill,” he said.
He insisted that there was already a clear procedure under the Constitution for resolving issues with legislation prior to assent.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
