Under fire Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, finally made an appearance in the Chamber of Parliament on Tuesday, December 12, to partake in the deliberations on the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021 bill—commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill.
His absence during the previous week had prompted the First Deputy Speaker to postpone the consideration stage, a move that drew criticism from the bill’s sponsors.
Allegations surfaced, accusing the Chairman and the majority leadership of colluding with LGBTQ+ activists to intentionally delay the bill’s progress.
The sponsors even claimed that some House members had been swayed to oppose the bill.
They warned such members to return whatever benefits they have received and vowed to expose those allegedly influenced.
In response to the escalating tensions, Speaker Alban Bagbin announced the House’s intention to pass the anti-gay bill into law before the Christmas break.
The absence of the Chairman, he said, is not a valid reason for the House to postpone consideration of the bill and indicated that the ranking member is seized with the authority to move the amendments.
The Speaker further warned that Ghanaians are taking a keen interest in how the House is handling the bill.
He indicated that the ability of the House to pass the bill into law, or otherwise before the break could have serious consequences on the ambitions of members contesting to return to Parliament.
“I am in touch with the people and I know what they are asking for. This bill must be passed before the House goes for the Christmas recess,” he stated.
Despite the Chairman’s noticeable absence on Friday, December 8, Speaker Bagbin proceeded with the bill’s consideration, with the ranking member stepping in for the Chairman to oversee amendments.
Five changes were made under Clause 1, one of which involved altering the bill’s title from ‘Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021’ to ‘Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values 2021.’
However, on the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, Hon. Anyimadu-Antwi was present, taking the lead in proposing the amendments.
The House continued its consideration, navigating through the proposed changes to the bill.
The House is expected to conclude the amendments before Friday, December 22 when Parliament will rise sine die.