Parliament will pass the LGBTQ Bill by end of this year – Speaker assures Coalition of Muslim Organizations

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A delegation from the Coalition of Muslim Organization of Ghana has conferred on the Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the title Saifu_llah which means the Sword of God.  

The delegation to Parliament House, where the event took place, was led by Hajj Abdul Rahman. He acknowledged and commended Mr Bagbin for his immense contribution to protecting and safeguarding Ghanaian values and norms against the the threat posed by LGBTQ.

 

In his acceptance statement, Mr. Bagbin said, he is overwhelmed by the Honour and title conferred on him by the Coalition.

He assured the Organization that Parliament will pass the LGBTQ Bill by the end of the year 2023.

Parliament debated the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee report on the bill on Wednesday, July 5.

The report highlighted concerns raised by proponents and those who are against the bill.

The opposers of the bill, per the report, contend that “LGBTQ+ activities form part of what the Constitution contemplates under Article 33 (5) about recognition of certain rights and freedoms that are considered to be inherent in a democracy and which is intended to secure the rights and freedoms and dignity of the people.

“Consequently, any attempt to prescribe different treatment to different people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender will be discriminatory and an affront to Article (17) 1 and (2) of the Constitution.”

During the debate, Member of Parliament for Okere, Dan Botwe, said beyond passing the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill popularly known as anti-gay bill in Ghana, there would be the need to find ways to fight the propagation of the practice of homosexuality.

“Beyond passing the bill, let us exercise eternal vigilance,” he said.

Mr Dan Botwe further explained that a time may come when children will go to shops to buy items with colors of homosexuals on those items. To that end, he said, vigilance is required by all stakeholders aside passage of the bill to prevent the propagation of homosexuality.

He further described homosexuality as “total madness” and “a satanic force.”

“Let us not underestimate this satanic force,” he stressed.