Speaker Alban Bagbin of Ghana’s Parliament has criticised statements made by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the country’s views on LGBTQ+ matters.
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have both addressed the subject of the criminalization of LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.
According to Bagbin, the US Vice President’s statement on the topic goes against his beliefs.
On Monday, at the Jubilee House, someone asked Kamala Harris about this. While she avoided mentioning the anti-gay bill now being debated in Ghana’s parliament, Madam Harris did emphasize her stand on human rights violations against minorities.
She said, “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.”
President Akufo-Addo, for his part, denied that an anti-LGBT law existed in Ghana.He said that “just a hand full of MPs” were advocating for the anti-LGBT measure now being discussed in Parliament. Even if the measure is passed, Akufo-Addo said, he would still need to sign it into law.
Alban Bagbin, on the other hand, said her statements were anti-democratic and “should not be tolerated.”
“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.”
In addition, he criticised President Akufo-Addo for his statement that he has no influence over Parliament over this law.
“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. This is legislation, this is not execution. Wait until we pass it, and we will direct you to execute it, that is where you come in. That is why we are the representatives of the people. 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” he stated.
Source – Tru News Report
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