The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Essikado-Ketan constituency in the Western Region, Professor Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has criticized President Akufo-Addo’s delay in accepting and assenting to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024 (anti-gay bill).
The bill was unanimously passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, but President Akufo-Addo has not yet assented to it for it to become law.
Speaking on TV3 New Day on Thursday, March 21, Prof. Ayensu-Danquah accused the President of being contentious and overly assertive. She likened his behavior to what she termed as the Napoleonic syndrome, suggesting that he consistently seeks to assert dominance and be the center of attention.
She emphasized that the President, like any other individual, is not above the legislature and should accept and assent to the anti-gay bill as required.
In a letter dated March 18, President Akufo-Addo requested Parliament to halt the transmission of the bill to the presidency for assent, citing pending applications for an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court.
In response, Speaker Alban Bagbin expressed strong dissatisfaction with the President’s refusal to assent to the bill, stating that it was contemptuous.
Bagbin announced the suspension of vetting and approval of the President’s ministerial nominees pending a Supreme Court ruling against the vetting exercise, following an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by an MP.