The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has said President Akufo-Addo can never intervene in the proposed anti-LGBTQI Bill which is before House.[ads2]
According to Bagbin, the President only has the power to implement the bill after it has been passed by parliament.
“A word to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. There’s no way he can intervene. That answer he gave, wait until we pass it, and we will direct you to execute it, that is where you come in. In terms of the law which is part of the policy, we will finalise it, then the executive has the authority to implement it. Let’s get this clear,” Alban Bagbin said when speaking at a breakfast meeting with the clergy.
This comes after the Vice President the USA, Kamala Harris who is in Ghana for a three-day visit, during her engagement with President Akufo-Addo stated that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQI) are human right issues.[ads3]
She told the press how she has been advocating for the fight and support for human rights in the United States including rights of LGBTQs.
“For the American press who are here, you know that a great deal of work in my career has been to address human rights issues, equality issues across the globe including as well as the LGBTQ community and I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting freedom and supporting and fighting for quality among all people.”
Reacting to Kamala Harris comment, Alban Bagbin said, “I was so happy when I read that Pope Francis directed that no Reverend Father should celebrate over gay or lesbian marriage. Rome has spoken, and it’s final. Committee members that we refer the Bill to, don’t be intimidated by any person. Please let the report flow, we will be guided by our constitution, so what are you afraid of?”[ads4]
The Speaker added, “as the Vice President of the USA, Kamala Harris did yesterday, these things should not be tolerated, that is undemocratic. What is democracy? That someone should have to dictate to me what is good and what is bad? Unheard of, because we have decided to devalue ourselves and go begging? Come on, we have more than enough. God has created more than enough for every person, the Bill will be passed”.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo answering a question put to him at the Jubilee House on Monday, March 27, President Akufo-Addo confirmed that the bill is currently before Parliament, which will decide on it, but most of its provisions are being fine-tuned.
“It hasn’t been passed, so the statement that there is a legislation in Ghana to that effect is not accurate,” he said.
“Parliament is dealing with it and at the end of the process, I will come in,” he added.[ads5]
