New Juaben South’s Member of Parliament, Michael Okyere Baafi, has warned of potential legal consequences for President Akufo-Addo if he proceeds to sign the anti-gay bill currently under review by the Supreme Court.
The bill, which received parliamentary approval in February 2024, has stirred controversy due to President Akufo-Addo’s reluctance to endorse it.
Criticism has arisen from both proponents of the bill and Parliament’s Speaker, Alban Bagbin, who considers the president’s hesitation unconstitutional.
However, the President’s Executive Secretary, Nana Bediatuo Asante, clarified that the delay is attributed to a legal injunction filed at the Supreme Court.
Addressing congregants at the Church of Pentecost’s Easter Convention in Koforidua, Michael Okyere Baafi refuted claims of deliberate delays by the president, citing the legal impediment as the primary barrier.
“That foolish thing called LGBTQ cannot be tolerated. The 1992 Constitution already frowns on it. So, we, the MPs, based on powers given to us, support the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in parliament…
“If the president goes ahead to sign, he will be jailed. The people who sent the matter to court want the president to be jailed if he signs the bill.”
“In any case, if President Akufo-Addo signs the bill, he won’t suffer the consequences because it is left with his eight months to leave,” he added.
“The president says he will sign the bill right after the Supreme Court decision,” Okyere Baafi assured.
Okyere Baafi reaffirmed President Akufo-Addo’s backing for the bill and assured the congregation that the delay is a testament to the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Regarding concerns raised by the Ministry of Finance regarding potential economic repercussions, Okyere Baafi expressed confidence that the government stands to gain from signing the bill.
However, he underscored the president’s pledge to await the Supreme Court’s ruling before proceeding with the bill’s signing.