The Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi has stated that the Office of the President erred, when it directed Parliament to refrain from transmitting the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill known as the Anti- LGBT bill to the presidency.
He explained that the transmitting of the bill by Parliament to the Presidency, is an execution of its constitutional duties and thus, Presidency, cannot stop the august house from doing it. However, the Presidency had the right to either assent to the bill or not, and if it wouldn’t assent to it, then it must write back to Parliament, explaining reasons for which it cannot be assented.
The Legislator spoke exclusively to Kwaku Dawuro on Movement In The Morning show on Movement TV/ Wontumi Radio.
“So, the Presidency could have chosen any of these options, rather than writing to Parliament not to transmit the bill. It’s the same constitution that governs the Presidency, legislature and Judiciary. To be honest, the Presidency never had any right to write to Parliament, refraining the house from transmitting the Anti-LGBTQ bill to the Presidency. Nana Asante Bediatuo erred”, he said.
Adding that it wasn’t within his bosom to impeach Parliament, preventing the house from doing its business.
This comes after a letter addressed to Parliament on Monday, March 18, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, the letter emphasized that it would be improper for Parliament to proceed with transmitting the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for any action until the matters before the court are addressed.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that the Attorney-General has advised the President against taking any action regarding the Bill until the issues raised by the ongoing legal suits are resolved by the Supreme Court.
“It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suit”.
“In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved,” it added.