The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim has said that Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee is set to meet to deliberate and push forward the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill to be passed into law.
This comes amid mounting criticism over delays in obtaining parliamentary approval and presidential assent for the Anti-LGBTQ bill, and President Mahama’s recent remark that it wasn’t a priority.
Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series at the Presidency, the Minister assured that the bill will be passed, but cautioned that attempts to politicise the process for partisan gain will not succeed.
“When it comes to where we are, the Constitutional and Legal Committee is meeting on it on April 23. I know every stage and every process. It was not an executive bill; it is a private members’ bill. Therefore, the President was right. If you listen to his speech carefully, you will appreciate him for that,” he added.
Ahmed Ibrahim further detailed why the Committee has delayed in pushing the Bill to the plenary for discussion.
“When it was time for the LGBTQ+ Bill to be passed, we were made up of four NDC MPs and four NPP MPs. But when we got to the venue, three of the NPP MPs ran away, leaving only one. So, we had to bring in an additional three NDC MPs to join us before the bill was passed,” he said.
The Minister further urged Ghanaians to stop politicizing the Bill as according to him, the President is all for its passage.
“Let nobody bring the President in. It was we who introduced the bill. I can give you the long history of it. I am soldiering the bill closely. I went to the President on the matter, and I went to the Speaker on it, and I know where we are with the bill.
“Pastors also come to me on the matter, and with that, I also know where we are. When you are in the field, you act, and not talk,” he said.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
