Tensions flared in Parliament on Wednesday as sponsors of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, dubbed the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, expressed outrage over the unexpected delay in the consideration of the controversial legislation.
The dismayed sponsors are now warning individuals allegedly influenced by LGBTQ interests to return any benefits received, as they are prepared for an all-out fight to push the Bill forward.
The frustration reached a boiling point when the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi went missing from the Chamber during the scheduled consideration of the bill.
Second Deputy, Joseph Osei-Owusu, citing procedural concerns, refused to proceed without the Committee chairman, arguing that the amendments in the Bill stood in the chairman’s name.
A visibly angry Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors after the House adjourned indicated this is the third time the House has failed to take the consideration stage.
He questioned the excuses given for the delay, especially regarding the absence of the Committee Chairman, calling it alien to parliamentary practice.
He issued a stern warning to those allegedly influenced by LGBTQ lobbyists, stating, “Those who have gone and gotten influenced by persons who have an interest in the LGBTQ should return whatever influence they have collected because we will fight.”
Sam George raised concerns about the majority side’s opposition to the bill, alleging that some of their leaders are asking them to withdraw the bill.
“We are very much aware of people in leadership on the majority side who are reaching out to the sponsors of the LGBTQ Bill and asking us to step down the bill.”
He expressed his frustration with the repeated delays, accusing some members from the Majority side of intentional efforts to undermine the authority of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
He argued that this was not the first time such an incident occurred and criticized the disregard for the Speaker’s instructions.
Sam George emphasized the need for clarity on the majority side’s issues with the bill and urged the opposition to declare their stance.
He stressed that Speaker Alban Bagbin had explicitly instructed the First Deputy Speaker to initiate the consideration.
Sam George accused the Majority side of a subtle plot to tarnish the reputation of the Speaker.
He said, “Earlier this year, the Speaker assured Ghanaians that the Bill would be passed before the year’s end. The current delay appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority and dignity of speaker Alban Bagbin.”
“Such calculated actions to disgrace the Speaker are unacceptable, and we cannot tolerate this behaviour any longer,” he added
He called on the Christian community, the Muslim community, followers of the African traditional religions, the National House of Chiefs, and all Ghanaians who have endorsed this bill, to take note of the actions of certain individuals in the Parliament who are obstructing and intentionally slowing down the progress of the bill.
Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Chairman of the Committee, however, refuted the sponsor’s claims and indicated he had to represent the Interior Minister at a programme hence his inability to attend Parliament.
He argued that leadership has not informed him the consideration of the Bill will begin and stressed he only prosecutes what the leadership would tell him.
Deputy Majority Whip, Seyiram Alhassan, who tried to stop the sponsors from addressing the media assured that the postponement was temporal and that the House has the whole of tomorrow to consider it.
