Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has condemned anti-gay bill comments made by the US Vice President, Kamala Harris and the President of the Republic of Ghana, Akufo-Addo.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during a joint news conference on Monday, March 27 disclosed that his government has ‘modified’ the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill that is now being discussed in parliament.
Speaking during a joint news conference with the visiting US Vice-President Kamala Harris held at the Jubilee House, the President said the bill was not official government policy but rather had been put forward by a “handful” of private members.
Akufo-Addo noted that the attorney general had submitted opinions to a parliamentary committee about “the constitutionality or otherwise of several of its provisions”.
“My understanding … is that substantial elements of the bill have already been modified as a result of the intervention of the attorney general,” he said without giving details.
The US Vice-President, Ms Harris in her statement also noted that she had addressed the issue with President Akufo-Addo and said the US considered it a matter of human rights.
If it becomes law, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Value Bill would imprison those that identify as LGBTQ and criminalise advocacy for gay rights.
Reacting to the concerns raised by the Vice President of the United States of America and President of Ghana, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin who had a breakfast meeting with the clergy opined that the committee members working on the Anti-Gay Bill will not be intimidated by any person.
According to the Speaker, Parliament will be guided by the constitution of the country to pass the bill.
“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?”
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”.
He also slammed President Akufo-Addo, saying he has no authority to intervene in the proposed Anti-LGBTQ bill which is currently before 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,” he stated.
Ghana’s parliament held public hearings on the bill starting in 2021. It is unclear when it will be put to a vote.
Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, where homophobic attitudes are widespread, but the draft law would impose longer sentences.
Same-sex marriage has been condemned by President Akufo-Addo in the past, and he has promised that it would never become legal while he is president.
