The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has indicated that Ghana is not perturbed by the stringent economic sanctions being threatened by the International community due to her stance on the LGBTQI debate.
According to Mr Alban Bagbin, Ghana’s position is meant to protect her cultural values, societal norms and safeguard the future of its youth, hence it will not kowtow to the withdrawal of investments and international aids.
He, however, noted that threats and boycotts are not the way to go, but rather engagement and understanding.
“Threats are not the way to go. If your neighbor or partner has a problem, you help him to solve it. Boycotts and threats do not solve problems, engagement and understanding do,” the Speaker said.
MrBagbin was addressing a group of Members of the British House of Lords and the House of Commons at Westminster in London.
He was responding to concerns raised by the British Members of Parliament with regards to LGBTQI law passed in Uganda recently, as well as the Bill on Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, currently before Ghana’s parliament.
Speaker Bagbin told his hosts that there is urgent need for legislation in the area of LGBTTQR+ in Ghana and that there is nothing wrong with parliament’s effort in ensuring that there is legislation on the phenomena.
“There is nothing untoward; nothing wrong with the efforts by Ghana’s Parliament to legislate on the promotion of human sexual rights and family values in Ghana, using our constitution as a compass”, he declared.
Explaining why parliament seems to be the organ of government that is championing the bill, the Speaker said that parliament can also initiate bills through the Private Members Motion, unlike years ago when it was only the executive that can initiate bills.
Speaking on the role of the President under the current Bill, Speaker Bagbin said he has to accent to bills submitted to him by Parliament and can make recommendations for the consideration of Parliament, but stressed that final legislative power lies with parliament.
He noted that based on the Private Members Bill concept, Parliament has the mandate and the capability to legislate on the subject, and will not countenance any interference from the executive.
Touching on the human rights violation concerns that have been raised by many, with regards to the Bill, Speaker Bagbin said “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”.
He also noted that Ghana’s constitution is heavy on the promotion and protection of various fundamental human rights and freedoms, and gave an assurance 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.So is it about the healthcare and welfare of Ghanaians, particularly those whose sexual orientation has implications for their health.”
