The Dean of the Law School at the University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Ernest Kofi Abotsi, has highlighted the constitutional provision that permits Parliament to pass bills into law without presidential assent.
While acknowledging the rights given to the executive to assent to or refuse a bill as dictated in Article 106 of the constitution, the dean noted that Parliament ultimately holds the highest authority in legislative matters.
Prof Abotsi’s revelation comes amid a row between Parliament and the Presidency over theHuman Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill which was passed in February.
The Presidency, in a letter on Tuesday, instructed Parliament not to transmit the bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.
The decision, according to Nana Bediatuo Asante, stems from the acknowledgment of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court.
Highlighting the procedural aspect during JoyNews’ PM Express, Prof. Abotsi explained that in instances where the executive refuses to assent to a bill, a series of exchanges occur between Parliament and the executive.
However, he added that should Parliament persist in its stance and reject proposed changes from the executive on three occasions, it can pass the bill into law without the need for presidential assent.
“The Executive’s participation in lawmaking is rather administrative because it is not that substantive. It can’t defeat the legislative authority of Parliament,” he said on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, the dean stressed the importance of collaboration amongst the arms of government.
“… but it is a collaborative process and the expectation is that they will not over-rule each other but cooperate with each other,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
I was suspended in SHS after making a dance video with my uniform – Lisa Quama
37 mins -
GTA gears up for National Tourism Awards 2024
40 mins -
Prof. Gyampo criticises vacating of MP seats due to cross-carpeting
3 hours -
A critical examination of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling on potential breaches of Article 97(1)(G) and (H)
4 hours -
Trump calls 6 January ‘day of love’ when asked about Capitol riot
5 hours -
UTAG calls for immediate prosecution of persons arrested for engaging in galamsey
5 hours -
Prof Ransford Gyampo: And Speaker Bagbin declared 4 seats vacant…
5 hours -
Secret Service has ‘deep flaws’ and must overhaul leadership, report says
5 hours -
Kenya’s deputy president sacked while in hospital
6 hours -
One Direction ‘devastated’ at Liam Payne’s death
6 hours -
Ghana’s debt to ease to 70% of GDP in 2024; another debt default unlikely – Fitch
6 hours -
Meta fires staff for buying toothpaste, not lunch
6 hours -
U-20 AFCON 2025Q: Afriyie’s brace earns Ghana draw against Benin
6 hours -
US ‘click to cancel’ rule to ban subscription traps
6 hours -
Speaker is completely out of order; he is wrong on this ruling – K.T Hammond
6 hours