The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has gone ballistic over the interference in the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill by the Vice President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris.
According to Speaker Bagbin, such interference was undemocratic and should not be tolerated.
He said no principle of democracy suggests that one country should dictate for the other just because they give aid to the latter.
“…as the Vice President of the USA, Kamala Harris, did yesterday, these things should not be tolerated, that is undemocratic. What is democracy? That someone should have to dictate to me what is good and what is bad? Unheard of; because we have decided to devalue ourselves and go begging? Come on, we have more than enough. God has created more than enough for every person, the Bill will be passed.”
Speaker Bagbin’s comments follow statements made by Vice President Harris in a meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House.
The Second Lady of the US, who has been in the country since Sunday March 25, asked the President of his opinion on the anti-gay legislation, on the back of suppressing human rights.
She stated: “I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting freedom and supporting the fighting for equality among all people, and that all people be treated equally. I will also say that this is an issue that we consider, and I consider to be a human rights issue, and that will not change.”
But, yesterday, Speaker Bagbin did not take kindly to her comments and described it as undemocratic.
The Speaker made the comments at a Breakfast Meeting he held in conjunction with the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship on the theme “Praying for the Nation”.
It would also be recalled that President Akufo-Addo, in responding to Vice President Harris comments on the Anti-Gay Bill, said that he had no say at this point on the bill, because it was before Parliament.
However, he emphatically noted that he had no doubt that the Parliament of Ghana would ensure the legislation reflected the mood of the nation, a position which formed the basis for the laying of the Bill.
Responding to that comment also, Speaker Bagbin said that President Akufo-Addo could not intervene in the Bill, because he was not in charge.
Mr. Bagbin said that once the Bill was before Parliament, he was in charge and not the President.
He also indicated that even when the Bill was passed into law it was Parliament that would direct the Executive on its execution.
“There’s no way he can intervene. That answer he gave, wait until we pass it, and we will direct you to execute it; that is where you come in. In terms of the law, which is part of the policy, we will finalise it; then, the Executive has the authority to implement it. Let’s get this clear, while this Bill is before us, he is not in charge; I am in charge,” he stated.
He, therefore, directed the Committee charged to work on the Bill – Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs – to speed up work on the Bill so that it could be passed.
He entreated them not to be afraid of anything since they had the support of majority of the citizens and God as well.
“…What are you afraid of if you have the whole people behind you? If God is with you, who can be against you? If somebody says don’t multiply, how can that person be stronger than God?” he queried.
Reverend Dr. Lawrence Tetteh of the World Miracle Outreach, who shared the benediction, said the prayer that were said at the meeting was not only for the well being of the members who were present, but it was to ensure that they did not change their stance on LGBTQ+ when it matters the most.
“Our prayer for you today is not just about your health; it is that you do not change your words when we most need you. When you get the chance to make a statement on behalf of our nation, you will not seek to impress anybody by being politically…,” he said.
