Bagbin is a Ghanaian first before being a Speaker – Haruna Iddrisu replies Kyei Mensah-Bonsu
The debate on the anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex bill (LGBTQI) has sparked some sharp disagreements on both sides of Parliament over Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s role on the matter.
Majority leader Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu had criticized the Speaker that he is not a legislator and therefore did not have the right to state his views on the matter.
But in a sharp rebuttal, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrissu during a press briefing on October 15, 2021, insists that as Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is a Ghanaian first and therefore has the right to espouse his views on the matter and any matter of national interest as well.
He also indicated that the Minority would insist on a clause by clause vote on the bill that is every accompanying word or sentence including amendment of any provision and will do what is legally needful within the 1992 constitution.
Adding that they would want every Member of Parliament not referring to just his side but both sides to get counted and to stand counted as reflecting.
According to him, the bill should be considered as a make-or-break for Ghana’s moral fabric.
“Certain issues of significance either make or put asunder the collective unity of people of a nation at critical moments in its history, and the Parliament of Ghana must stand the litmus test,” Haruna Iddrisu.
The Introduction of this private member anti-LGBTQI+ bill into Parliament by the legislator for Ningo-Prampram Sam George and other legislators has shaken the Ghanaian cultural base to the core.
While the Sam George led bill which is the “Promotion of proper human sexual right and Ghanaian family values bill 2021” wants us not to name LGBTQI+ practice amongst us since it is not in tandem with our values others on the other hand insist that the bill is draconian and tramples on the rights of the LGBTQI community sparking weeks of debate in Ghana.
But Ghana’s parliament is yet to vote on the matter and whiles the Minority caucus of the house have laid their strategies down the Majority are yet to bring theirs out as Ghanaians wait in anticipation.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
