It is both bizarre and unfortunate that the Minority in Parliament is using elements of propaganda to promote the LGBTQ+ bill, which was denied presidential assent by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Following the 2024 general elections, the bill has been reintroduced in a new Parliament. As a result, it must go through the full legislative process again, since all business from the previous Parliament expired at the end of its session. The current Parliament is therefore required to reconsider the bill from the beginning.
It is, however, premature for the Minority to set the public agenda as though the bill is at the stage of awaiting presidential assent. In reality, the bill has yet to pass through all the required parliamentary procedures before it can be presented to President John Dramani Mahama for approval.
Speaking on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra, Vice Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, James Enu, described the Minority’s position on the LGBTQ+ issue as “much ado about nothing.” The programme was hosted by Kofi Owusu.
He emphasised that the legislative process is rigorous and requires thorough debate from both sides of the House, with careful consideration of all aspects of the bill before it reaches the stage of presidential assent. According to him, creating the impression that the President is delaying action on the private member’s bill is merely propaganda and political posturing without substance.
In a related development, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has dismissed speculation surrounding the controversial Anti-LGBTQ bill, insisting that it will be passed when Parliament reconvenes.
He noted that several Members of Parliament previously supported and promoted the bill, leading to its passage under the former administration. Speaking at the Speaker’s Parliamentary Decentralisation Programme on Saturday, April 11, Bagbin stated, “I’m not a man of words; I’m a man of action. That is how we got it passed in Parliament.”
He urged the public to disregard misinformation about parliamentary proceedings. “Don’t listen to people who don’t know what is happening in Parliament,” he stressed.
The Speaker further explained that the bill had already gone through all the required stages previously and is expected to be finalised. “We started the process and carried it through all stages. At the next meeting of Parliament, we will pass that bill into law,” he said.
He also referenced the earlier decision by former President Akufo-Addo not to assent to the bill after its initial passage, distancing himself from that outcome. “But for some reason, the President did not assent to it. I’m sure one of the reasons you punished him and his party is because of this,” he remarked.
Bagbin expressed confidence that the bill will receive presidential approval this time. “The President has assured me that once we pass the bill and it is presented to him, he will assent to it,” he disclosed.
He further criticised what he described as “rumour mongers” and political actors spreading false narratives about the legislative process. “Please ignore them. That is not the kind of politics we are here for,” he said.
The Speaker concluded by reaffirming Parliament’s commitment to its mandate and guiding principles. “Our culture, values, and principles are distinct. We must resist negative influences. We will not be colonised again—that is history,” he added.