Parliament will pass anti-LGBTQ bill before Christmas break

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has vowed that the anti-LGBTQ bill, will be approved before Parliament goes on recess for the yuletide season.

This assurance comes after recent developments, with the Minority caucus accusing NPP MPs of sabotaging the passage of the bill. On Wednesday, the lead proponent of the bill, Sam George threatened to call out names of MPs who are actively working against the passage of the anti-LGBTQ bill, properly referred to as the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.

“Those who have been influenced by persons who have an interest in LGBTQ should return whatever influence they have collected because we will fight and the next time we address the media, I will mention names. I have been impressed by my co-sponsors not to mention names, and it is out of respect for them that I am not mentioning names, but if they continue this behaviour of frustrating the bill, I will mention names.”

“This bill was introduced in 2021 and this is the last time we will accept this kind of behaviour. Ghanaians should take note, the Christian community, the Muslim community, the African Traditional community, and the National House of Chiefs who have supported this bill should take note of the actions of persons on the Floor of the House who are seeking to slow down the move of this bill.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, has rubbished the allegations by Sam George.

Reacting to the developments in Parliament, the Speaker said the bill will see the light of day before the House rises for the Christmas and New Year break.

“I know that nobody in this House is opposed to the bill and I know the bill will see the light of day before we rise because the people of Ghana are expecting us to pass the bill before we go on recess. Failure to do so will have serious consequences on members as they want to advance in their political careers.”