News:
May 14, 2014
The Council of State has referred back to Parliament, the bill on Constitution Review Commission’s (CRC) recommendations on entrenched provisions in the 1992 constitution.
The forwarding of the bill back to Parliament for deliberation reportedly took place 24 hours after the Minority raised the issue.
The Speaker, Edward Doe Adjaho is said to have sent the bill to the Council of State without informing members of the House.
The Minority at a news conference on Wednesday accused Mr. Adjaho of acting unilaterally.
They described the Speaker’s action as unconstitutional and inappropriate, but the Majority in Parliament quickly jumped to Mr. Adjaho’s defense.
According to them, the Minority MPs were making unnecessary accusations and the Speaker had in no way breached any aspect of the constitution.
They added that Mr. Adjaho had every right to forward the bill to the Council of State and rather accused the Minority of wrongful interpretation of the constitution.
In an interview with Citi News however, the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu confirmed the Council of State in it referral of the bill has asked Parliament to do the right thing.
According to him, he was copied in a letter written to the Speaker by the Council of State which indicated that the concerns expressed by the Minority have been duly noted “and they think there is an issue to consider.”
The Suame Legislator quoted sections of the letter saying, “as advised by the Minority Leader, we are referring the bill back to Parliament for a resolution of the contentious issue.”
He expressed satisfaction at the readiness of the Council of State to ensure matters of such nature are handled in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
Mr. Mensah Bonsu also commended the Council of State for being impartial but urged persons who do not understand the basis of the matter “not to go on an insulting spree.”
citifmonline.com