Samuel Nartey George, a member of parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has claimed that the minority caucus is unconcerned about losing seats in the legislature as a result of the ongoing boycott of parliamentary proceedings.
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, declared that the Minority’s boycott of parliamentary sessions without his formal notification and approval, constitutes a violation of the house’s standing order and may result in its members losing their seats.
However, Sam George asserted that the Minority will continue to work to stop the persecution of its members, whether it loses seats or not.
“Akufo-Addo will go down in the history of this country as the worst President and most undemocratic person. And we must resist him at every turn, if it means losing 137 seats in Parliament. They should declare the 137 seats vacant and let’s have a by-election. After all, that will bring a lot of development to our 137 constituencies because that is their stalking.
“The 137 of us have decided and are definite in our minds. We are not going to the chamber any day they take our colleagues to court and persecute them.”
Sam George
Meanwhile, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Chief Whip for the Majority, says Ghanaians should not take the Minority seriously. He complained that the minority caucus was virtually universally advertised in private enterprises and urged that the minority should act more matured in such areas.
Minority Skipping Sessions Over LGBTQ+ Bill
Kofi Adams, a member of parliament for the Buem constituency, claimed he has reason to believe that some of his fellow lawmakers are supporting those in court to have Parliament’s decision to criminalize LGBTQ+ activity overturned.
Mr. Adams claims that he has “reasonable reasons” to be suspicious based on the connectional aspect.
“As for those who are hiding behind other persons to go to court, I suspect so and I have reasonable reasons to suspect. Sometimes the positions and the leaning of some of those persons who are in court make me believe – I know that this person is connected to this, this person is connected to that. So if today, I find you taking a certain step, there’s reasonable justification for me to suspect and that is what I’m doing.”
Kofi Adams
In order to overturn the House’s decision to enact the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, some people have already turned to the judicial system, asking for an injunction against Parliament and the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
Their main defense is that if the law is passed, it will violate the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community. However, some MPs, the Speaker, and traditional chiefs argue along cultural lines that the LGBTQ+ community’s actions do not reflect the ideals of the many indigenous communities. In reality, the speaker has promised the country that the bill will be passed.
Mr. Adams emphasized that Parliament has a duty and responsibility to perform its function and will do so. He therefore claimed that the legislative branch of government cannot be told how to carry out its tasks by the judicial branch of the government.
Moreover, he asserted that those asking for an injunction on parliamentary proceedings following deliberations of the bill are completely mistaken. He added that it is proper for the aforementioned people to express their concerns when the procedure has gone through.
READ ALSO: Minority Must Provide Explanations To Constituents On Boycotts- Annoh-Dompreh
