Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has sharply criticized both President Akufo-Addo and the judiciary for their role in delaying the passage of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, which has already been passed by Parliament and is awaiting presidential assent.
During a press conference on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Bagbin expressed disappointment over the growing trend of turning to the judiciary to resolve issues that should be handled within Parliament. He specifically took aim at the President’s refusal to sign the Bill, despite it being processed and passed by Parliament, and the judiciary’s involvement in handling related legal cases.
Bagbin stated that such actions undermine the integrity of Parliament and set a dangerous precedent in Ghana’s democratic process. He emphasized that members of Parliament, especially leaders, should be loyal to the institution of Parliament, rather than resorting to the Supreme Court to bypass legislative procedures.
“Parliamentarians, who are supposed to be loyal to Parliament, should not run to the Supreme Court at the slightest opportunity, using it to undermine Parliament,” Bagbin said. He added that this tendency contributes to Parliament’s diminished respect and influence.
He also criticized the judiciary for processing lawsuits related to the LGBTQ Bill, despite Parliament’s legal authority to pass laws. He called out the President’s refusal to accept the Bill without any legal justification, claiming that both the President and the judiciary have “sinned against the Constitution.”
In his remarks, Bagbin urged both the President and the judiciary to “confess and repent” for their actions, which he views as a direct challenge to Ghana’s democratic processes and the Constitution.
