Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has emphasized the comprehensive and meticulous legislative procedures that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2021 underwent before its passage on February 28, 2024.
The Speaker detailed the extensive debate, careful consideration, and the collective determination of Parliament to approve the bill, representing a significant legislative effort reflecting the will of the Ghanaian populace.
In a statement to MPs on Wednesday, he explained the critical steps in the legislative process, including the “winnowing” phase, which ensures all proposed amendments and changes are thoroughly integrated into the bill.
“After the successful completion of the winnowing process, the Clerk to Parliament in fulfilment of his duties as the procedural intermediary between the legislative and executive branches endeavoured to send the Bill to the Presidency by section 5 of the Interpretation Act, 2009 (Act 792).”
“This action, steeped in established parliamentary practice and procedure, signifies the final step in the legislative process, enabling the President to review and, if in agreement, assent to the Bill, thereby enacting it into law in accordance with Article 106(7) of the Constitution.”
The Speaker, however, raised concerns over President Akufo-Addo’s refusal to accept the bill’s transmission and described the move as a deviation from democratic norms and undermining cooperative governance principles.
He added that the lack of formal communication from the Presidency to Parliament on this refusal is particularly troubling.
Bagbin warned that the current impasse not only challenges the legislative authority but also threatens the democratic values Ghana seeks to maintain.
He underscored the broader implications of such executive decisions, suggesting they could erode the critical checks and balances foundational to a robust democracy.
The Speaker’s remarks highlight the growing tension between Ghana’s legislative and executive branches over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2021.