Interestingly, regardless of reluctance from the Office of the President, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has expressed the Parliament’s determination to send the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values (Anti-LGBTQ+) Bill to the White House.
The Office of the President wrote to Parliament on March 18, 2024, requesting that they hold off on presenting President Akufo-Addo with the anti-gay measure for his approval.
An order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court was acknowledged as the basis for the request.
Speaker Alban Bagbin announced that Parliament was unwilling to give up on sending the law to the President, even at the President’s request.
He underlined how crucial it is to preserve democratic values and honor Parliament’s constitutional responsibility.
The approval procedure for new ministers has been halted by Parliament due to the ongoing turmoil around the anti-gay law. The decision is indicative of the seriousness of the MPs’ disagreement and the need for additional discussion on the controversial matter.
A Supreme Court interlocutory injunction suit brought by parliamentary candidate Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor resulted in the suspension of cabinet appointments.
The lawsuit aims to stop the Speaker of Parliament from approving and evaluating proposed ministers.
Speaker Alban Bagbin voiced alarm about the Presidency’s rejection of the anti-gay measure, claiming that it goes against the spirit of cooperative governance and long-standing democratic norms.
He begged the President to adhere to Article 106(7) constitutional procedures.
Speaker Alban Bagbin received criticism from the majority in parliament for his comments regarding President Akufo-Addo’s handling of the anti-gay bill.
The majority encouraged the speaker to desist from disparaging the president, even as they acknowledged his right to voice his viewpoint.
The complicated balance between legislative and executive power in Ghana is highlighted by the disagreement between Parliament and the Presidency over the anti-gay bill.
Both sides are asked to preserve democratic values and obey constitutional mandates for the greater welfare of the country as legal and political tensions rise.