The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has pushed back against ongoing speculation over the controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill, insisting that the legislation will be passed when Parliament reconvenes.
Speaking at the Speaker’s Parliamentary Decentralisation Programme on Saturday, April 11, he maintained that the bill has already undergone the necessary parliamentary processes and is now awaiting final passage.
“I’m not a man of words. I’m a man of action. That is how we got it passed in Parliament,” he said.
Mr. Bagbin also cautioned the public against relying on what he described as misinformation about parliamentary proceedings. “Don’t listen to people who don’t know what is in Parliament. Please, I repeat, don’t listen to people who don’t know what is in Parliament,” he stressed.
He explained that the bill had progressed through all required stages during its earlier consideration and indicated that the next sitting of Parliament would complete the process.
“We started, and we processed it. It has gone through all the stages, and the next meeting of Parliament will see us passing that bill into law,” he stated.
The Speaker referenced the previous outcome, where the former President declined to assent to the bill after it was passed, distancing Parliament from that decision.
“But for some reason, the President did not assent to it. I’m sure one of the reasons why you punished him and his party is one of these,” he remarked.
He further revealed that he has received assurances from the current President regarding assent once the bill is passed again.
“His Excellency the President assured me that when we pass the bill, and it comes to him, he is going to assent to it,” he disclosed.
Mr. Bagbin also criticised what he termed as “rumour mongers” and political actors spreading misleading narratives about Parliament’s work. “Please leave the rumour mongers. They can play that kind of bad politics. That is not what we are here for,” he said.
He concluded by emphasising that Parliament remains guided by Ghana’s cultural values and principles. “Our culture, values, and principles are different,” he noted, adding, “We resist it today. We will not be colonised again. That is gone. It’s history.”
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