
Audio By Carbonatix
The Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Reverend Father Clement Kwasi Adjei, has asked President Akufo-Addo to reconsider his decision not to assent to the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the cleric argued that the presidency’s letter to Parliament, instructing them not to transmit the bill to the presidency contravenes the established constitutional process wherein all laws enacted by parliament must be forwarded to the presidency for consideration.
He reminded the president of his vow to uphold the constitution of the country.
“The way things are going, it is not the best. I am not happy, and neither is the Catholic Bishops Conference. The President must follow the law he swore to uphold when he was sworn into office,” he said on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, in the presidency’s letter addressed to Parliament on Tuesday, the decision stems from the acknowledgment of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court.
Expressing dismay over recent events, Reverend Father Adjei called for a dialogue between religious bodies and the president to address the apparent deviation from constitutional norms.
“The constitution is the supreme law of Ghana and any law that is inconsistent with any provision in the constitution, for the sake of its inconsistency is null and void.
“So how can you write a letter telling parliament not to transmit the bill to the presidency? The constitution must be seen as the supreme law of the country. And in that constitution, any law enacted by parliament must be sent to the presidency,” he told host Aisha Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, tensions have been high among the MPs since Parliament received the letter from the presidency.
Parliament also suspended the consideration of the nomination of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State by President Akufo-Addo in what looks like a retaliation by the Speaker over the president's position on the controversial bill.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin said the legislature could not approve the President’s appointees because of an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.
Latest Stories
-
PIAC warns global energy transition policies adoption could threaten Ghana’s petroleum industry
7 minutes -
Ga South Assembly identifies 1,200 illegal structures for demolition to curb flooding
8 minutes -
15 seized mining excavators released after armed men storm Enchi District Assembly premises
17 minutes -
Gov’t general clean-up exercise will be sustained, not a one-off response – Felix Kwakye Ofosu
18 minutes -
Fuel prices set to go down from July 16 despite current war in the Middle East – COMAC CEO
19 minutes -
KMA demolishes illegal structures, summons sanitation offenders during Adum clean-up
25 minutes -
Lele Group donates 1,000 relief packages to flood victims in Tema West
26 minutes -
Why Accra’s current flood strategy may not be futureproof for the city of 2035
28 minutes -
Nurses’ union urges government to replace health workers leaving Ghana for abroad
30 minutes -
Holy Insecticides donates 8,400 sprays and coils to flood victims
49 minutes -
Trump blocks bipartisan housing bill over Senate failure to pass voter ID law
55 minutes -
The NDC Reorganisation Agenda: Building a stronger party or preserving powerful individuals?
1 hour -
PWDs call for accessible transport and infrastructure as KMA supports 57 with business grants
1 hour -
Global oil demand set for first annual decline since 2020, IEA says
1 hour -
World Cup ticket prices plummet as all three host nations exit tournament
2 hours