Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has assured him of his readiness to assent to the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill once it is passed by Parliament.
Speaking at a ceremony on April 11, Bagbin dismissed circulating rumours suggesting uncertainty over the President’s position, insisting that a clear commitment has already been made.
“The President assured me that when we pass the bill and it comes to him he was going to assent to it. So please, leave the rumour mongers,” he stated.
Bagbin emphasized that the bill is being driven by Members of Parliament who strongly support it, noting that the legislative process is nearly complete.
“Members of Parliament who believe in it decided to promote it,it has gone through all the stages and the next meeting of Parliament we will pass that bill into law,” he said.
Reflecting on previous developments, the Speaker suggested that the delay in presidential assent in the past may have carried political consequences.
“But for some reason, the President did not assent to it. I’m sure one of the reasons why we punished him and his party is this one,” he remarked.
He further urged the public to disregard misinformation and trust Parliament’s process.
“Don’t listen to people who don’t know what is in Parliament,” he cautioned.
Bagbin also reiterated his stance that LGBTQ+ practices are inconsistent with Ghanaian cultural values, stressing the need to uphold the country’s traditions.
“We resist it today, we will not be colonized again our cultures and values and principles are different,” he stressed.
