Anti-LGBTQI+ BILL: Speaker reaffirms support for bill …calls on traditional authorities to back Parliament

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reaf­firmed his unwav­ering support for the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill unanimously passed by parliament.

The Speaker, in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by his aide, Mr Peter Bamfo, at the 2024 Suma Akwantu Kesie Festival in Suma in the Bono Region on Saturday, noted that the passage of the bill marked a triumph for the country’s democratic principles and a reaffirmation of its commitment to upholding traditional values.

He therefore called on the traditional leaders to continue their advocacy for the preservation of the country’s true values and sup­port Parliament in its quest to see the Bill assented into law.

As representatives of the people, the Speaker said Parliament would do all it can within its constitution­ally mandated powers to put first the interest of Ghanaians before any other interest.

He commended the Suma Tra­ditional Council for its visionary leadership in reimagining the festi­val as a catalyst for development in the traditional area.

He also praised the Council for the initiative to establish an ultra­modern social centre in honour of the late Nana Kwadwo Adinkra, who invented the Adinkra symbols.

“The Adinkra Centre will serve as a beacon of hope and opportu­nity, providing invaluable resources for youth training, cultural educa­tion, and socio-economic empow­erment,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker also called on the people of Suma to rally behind their leaders to ensure the develop­ment of the area.

The Bill has been at the centre of stalemate between Parliament and the Presidency after the former refused to receive the Bill citing two interlocutory injunctions against same as the reason.

“In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are settled,” a letter the Office of the President addressed to the Clerk to Parlia­ment read in part.

Pursuance to that, the Speaker also said the House could not approve or otherwise the new set of ministerial nominees, also citing an interlocutory injunction.

“In the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the ‘spirit of upholding the rule of law’ until after the determination of the application for interlocu­tory injunction by the Supreme Court,” the Speaker submitted and adjourned the House sine die for the Easter festivities.

 BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI

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