Lawyer takes on Akufo-Addo over Witchcraft, Armed Forces Bills

 

Kweku Paintsil, a private attorney, expressed his dismay in President Akufo-Addo for declining to sign the bills that outlawed witchcraft and the armed forces.


He asserts that Akufo-Addo cannot be unaware of the impact the delayed passage will have on the democracy of the nation.


Writing such a lengthy letter to Parliament was unnecessary. Even though the process may worry you, the important thing is the content, which is good in this instance. "Everyone is in favor of the Bill's objectives," he declared.


The Armed Forces Bill, enacted by Parliament in July, aims to replace the death penalty with life in prison by amending portions of Act 29 and the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105).


Additionally, the Criminal Offenses Amendment Bill 2023

However, the President refused, citing possible violations of Article 108 of the Constitution and financial ramifications for the state's consolidated fund in a letter dated December 18.


He clarified that during discussions with the Attorney General, he was informed that the Ghana Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023, a private member's bill supported by Francis Xavier Sosu, the Madina member of parliament, aimed to replace the death penalty with a life sentence. 

Because of the associated costs of incarceration, the bill would have a financial impact on the state's consolidated fund.


However, attorney Paintsil claimed on Adom FM's morning program Dwaso Nsem that Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin dismissed these worries, arguing that it is improper for the President to bring up such matters months after theSince the President and Attorney General have been in this country and are aware of the situation, I am tremendously disappointed in them.


The President's arrival at this time with these issues perplexes me. In my opinion, the posture is a calculated attempt to delay the process till the end of his term so that he can no longer be held accountable for the Bill. 

His awkward posture begs him to just state that he disagrees with the law, he continued.


President Akufo-Addo was asked by Mr. Paintsil to reevaluate his choice since it may have an impact on social equality in the nation.

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