NDC MP wants Supreme Court to compel Prez to assent to anti-gay bill

Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking several declarations and orders regarding the powers of the President under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

The lawmaker is praying the court to compel the president to assent to the bill or explain to.parlaiment reasons why he has.refused to sign in seven days as enshrined in the Constitution.

He is seeking a declaration that, according to Article 106(1) and (7) of the Constitution, a President can only assent to or refuse to assent to a bill within seven days, unless the bill has been referred to the Council of State.

The lawyer also seeks a declaration that the President cannot prevent Parliament from transmitting a bill that has been passed to him.

Aside from these, he is asking for a declaration that a letter dated March 18, 2024, addressed to the Clerk of Parliament and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, is in contravention of the Constitution. He is seeking an order directing the President to withdraw this letter.

He has further asked the court to grant other orders or directions that the it may deem necessary.

The latest legal action follows the decision by the president not to assent to the bill untill all pending matters before the apex court are determined.