The Minority in Parliament has expressed its opposition to the legalization of the controversial LGBTQI rights bill and has resolved to preserve the sanctity of Ghanaian family values in the country.

Addressing a news conference in Parliament today, October 15, 2021, Haruna Iddrisu, revealed that the leadership is supportive of the bill and will help ensure its swift passage. He explained that the collective morality, “rests in the hands of Ghana’s 275 parliamentarians”.

The Minority Leader revealed that once passed, the anti LGBTQI bill with all “the righteousness it represents”, will be defined as MPs “fines hour” in every sense of that expression. Following this, Mr Iddrisu petitioned stakeholders to keep the “unity, cohesion and the stability of our society”.

“We would want to be recognized historically as belonging to this category of persons. Indeed, I have heard arguments about the remit and context of Article 108 of the constitution. I look forward to addressing a joint press conference with the Majority Leader because we only can build consensus on one matter. We only can build consensus on one irresistible fact that, we stand opposed to the introduction, formalization and legalization of LGBTQI rights in Ghana”.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu

Mr Iddrisu emphasized that in accordance with the standing orders of parliament, it does not mean the Speaker Alban Bagbin, will “reduce” himself when they get to the “nitty gritty” of the “consideration stage of the bill”.

“We in the minority will insist, clause by clause vote on every word, every accompanying sentence and we will insist on a vote, including amendment to any provision. When it comes to the important subject of the promotion of proper human, sexual rights and Ghanaian family values bill 2021, we will do what is legally needful with the 1992 constitution”.

Rallying support for anti LGBTQI bill

Expressing confidence in both sides of the House, the Minority Leader believes that “if anybody fails you, it is not the NDC Minority”. He further underscored the need for a high degree of rigour in the consideration of the Bill.

Mr Iddrisu stressed on the need for the Bill to receive full bipartisan support, with all parliamentarians united in “holding high the moral flag of our country”.

“… and we want every member of Parliament to get counted and to stand to be counted as reflecting the aspirations of Ghanaian people…. Certain issues of significance either make or put asunder the collective unity of people of a nation at critical moments in its history, and the Parliament of Ghana must stand the litmus test”.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu

The LGBTQI Bill jointly submitted by Sam George and eight other MPs to push for the criminalisation of LGBTQI+ activities in the country have received mixed reactions in the country. The bill, which they term as a ‘Bill on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values’, was presented to Speaker Alban Bagbin on June 29, 2021.

The Prampram legislator who led the MPs to make the presentation described it as a “landmark legislation” that has taken the last 14 weeks to prepare.