The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has revealed that Africa is not deterred by the veiled threats of withdrawal of investments and international aid, and other stringent economic measures that have characterized the continent’s effort at protecting its culture, values, and societal norms and to safeguard the future of its youth.
According to him, there is nothing “untoward” and wrong with the efforts by Ghana’s Parliament to legislate on the promotion of human sexual rights and family values in Ghana, using the country’s constitution as a compass.
Speaking at a meeting with Members of the British House of Lords and the House of Commons at Westminster in London, he highlighted on the concern to the British Members of Parliament with regards to the law passed in Uganda recently on the LGBTQI phenomenon, and the bill on Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values currently before Ghana’s parliament.
He explained that once a group of people is in agreement on what constitutes human rights, values and principles, they move on. What is required, he indicated, is alignment and understanding of their context.
“Threats are not the way to go. If your neighbour or partner has a problem, you help him to solve it. Boycotts and threats do not solve problems, engagement and understanding do… There is urgent need of legislation in the area of LGBTTQR± in Ghana.
“Parliament is aware of the copious human rights provisions in the Constitution of the country. Parliament knows that any legislation that detracts from the human rights and freedoms guaranteed by our constitution will be a candidate for litigation in our court of law”.
Alban Bagbin
Ghana resolute in its stance on LGBTQI
Rt. Hon. Bagbin explained to the House that the role of parliament is to receive bills from civil society or interest groups, usually through the process that allows for a Private Member’s Bill, or from the executive. Parliament, he noted, subsequently takes the bill through its processes and procedures outlined in its Standing Orders and in consonance with the provisions of Ghana’s constitution.
Responding to a question on the role of the President in the bill under reference, the Speaker insisted that Ghana’s Parliament has the mandate and the capability to legislate on the subject, and will not countenance any interference from the executive.
Mr Bagbin elaborated that the role of the President is to accent to bills submitted to him by Parliament. In the process, he revealed that the President can make recommendations for the consideration of Parliament. Nonetheless, he indicated that the final legislative powers rest with the legislature, not the executive.
“Ghana’s democracy is based on the rule of law, not the rule of man.”
Alban Bagbin
Furthermore, Mr Bagbin underscored that Ghana’s constitution is heavy on the promotion and protection of various fundamental human rights and freedoms. To this end, he assured the House that curtailing human rights is not the target of the bill under reference, rather, it is about the protection of rights as well as values.
Additionally, he revealed that it is also equally about the healthcare and welfare of Ghanaians, particularly those whose sexual orientation has implications for their health.
The Speaker stated that the legislature has engaged in very wide and broad consultations whilst working on the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Members of the select committee, he highlighted, working on it have held consultations in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, EU and Canada, among others for a deeper appreciation of the issues at stake.
In addition, he opined that the committee has received and considered about 400 memoranda on the issue and has granted audience to many advocacy groups, professional associations, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and religious leaders.
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