The rancor and controversy surrounding the recent passage of the anti-gay bill by Parliament seem not go away, with a suit pertaining the issue filed and pending at Supreme Court. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has intimated that his decision on the matter would be informed by the verdict of the apex court.
As he seeks to meet yearning of Ghanaians who are in support of the bill, while also reassuring the international community of Ghana preparedness to honour her international commitments and obligations, the President has incurred ire of most his countrymen.
Earlier, in his engagement with the diplomatic community in Ghana, the President touted Ghana’s adherence to international as his selling point.
“l am aware that last week’s bi-partisan passage by Parliament of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, on a Private Member’s motion, has raised considerable anxieties in certain quarters of the diplomatic community and amongst some friends of Ghana that she may be turning her back on her, hitherto, enviable, longstanding record on human rights observance and attachment to the rule of law. I want to assure you that no such back-sliding will be contemplated or occasioned,”
The President’s remark was occassioned by the heightened concern of the international community, especially Western donor partners on the impact of the controversial bill on the LGBTQ which they support as a matter of rights unlike majority in the country whose inclination percieves it as matter of faith, principle, morality and cultural values.
Tango of Values and International Concerns
While Nana Addo’s statement assuaged the fear of these partners, it further inflames the anger of many Ghanaians. His approach is seen as a deliberate stalling and a failure to assert national value on such a crucial matter. Adding his voice to the issue and reflective of the sentiment of the ordinary Ghanaian, Randy Abbey questions the constitutionality of President Nana Addo’s refusal to assent to the bill on the allusion of a suit at the Supreme Court.
Randy Abbey faulted the President’s approach. He explained that while the Preisdent has the power to accent or decline the bill as stipulated by law, the constitution does not grant him the power to withhold his signature under the guise of a law suit in court.
“The President [Akufo-Addo], if the Bill gets to his table under the constitution, has no right on the basis of the fact that somebody has gone to the supreme court, and decide he will not act on it and will wait, the constitution does not allow the President to take that decision,”
He went further to state that “The President takes his power from the constitution when it comes to private members bill. Where does the constitution empower the President, to upon a case been filed at the supreme court, decides to stay his hands off until after the determination of the matter? where?” he re-echoed his stance on the matter, reminding the President of the source and limit of his powers, “The constitution is clear, that if the President has some reservation, he should follow what the constitution says.”
The arguments become heated when one factors patriotism and independence into the picture. A day from now, Ghana will mark her 67th year of indepence and many are of the view that this is a perfect opportunity for the country and its people to clearly declare their stance on the whole brouhaha.
A leading academic at the University of Ghana and an International Affairs expert, Professor Seidu Alidu has called on the Pesident to be steadfast in his defiance of the Western countries on the matter since they front for powerful and wealthy pro LGBTQ lobbys.
“LGBTQ lobbyists in America and Europe are very powerful and are putting pressures on their governments to impose these attitudes and behaviours on other countries and so I think that the President [Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo] represents the interests of Ghanaians before any other country.
“It is his utmost responsibility to protect our national interests and culture as President. And so if the people of Ghana are saying this is what they want but the international community is saying that it is not what it wants, he has to weigh the options,”
The Reckoning
Arguably, both side of the debate have taken entrenched positions. The opponents of the bill whose concern is purpoted to dwell on rigths and freedoms of LGBTQ people have hastend to the Suprem Court to seek solace, yet they count as minority.
The bills proponents and majority of the country’s people share veiw that rights must be determined by societal values, hence as far as they are concerned, it is neither a matter of rigths not a dispute of international proportion.
For them, Ghana is an independent country and the President should dismiss and disregard international hullabaloo and assent the bill. While this may seem correct, with its economy in tatters, should the President sign the bill, going into an election; can Ghana withstand this approaching reckoning?
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