The Speaker of Parliament in Ghana, Alban Bagbin, has criticized President Akufo-Addo for expressing his willingness to intervene in the passage of an anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Bagbin has stated that the President has no power to do so as the bill is before Parliament and that the executive can only implement the law once it has been passed. Bagbin also condemned US Vice President Kamala Harris’ comments on Ghana’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, calling them undemocratic and intolerable.
President Akufo-Addo had previously claimed that he would intervene in the bill’s passage if he found any issues with its clauses. The Anti-LGBTQ+ bill, also known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
While the bill is still under consideration in Parliament, the Attorney-General has noted that some of its provisions are unconstitutional and will infringe on fundamental human rights and freedoms.
International organizations have raised concerns that the bill will harm LGBTQ+ persons, who are a minority group in Ghana. Despite this, the bill remains popular in Ghana and is likely to be passed in the near future.
