Former President John Dramani Mahama, representing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticized the recent actions of the Presidency regarding the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
In a Town Hall meeting in Banda as part of his Oti Region tour, Mahama condemned the letter from the Presidency instructing Parliament not to send the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for assent.
Mahama argued that the Secretary to the President had overstepped legal boundaries by issuing such a directive, asserting that it goes against the constitutional obligation of Parliament to send every Bill to the President.
He emphasised that the letter’s tone was disrespectful and implied undue authority over Parliament.
“We all know that our tradition is against LGBTQ. No religion in Ghana accepts it. Christianity does not accept it, Islam does not, even the traditionalists also reject it. It is a taboo in Ghana.
“Parliament recently passed a Bill to be sent to the President for his approval. But he has refused to sign because he claims the case is in court so he will wait for the pronouncement by the Supreme Court.
“But this morning I woke up to see a letter from the Secretary to the President to Parliament warning them against transmitting the letter to the Presidency. But everyone who is a lawyer will tell you that the President’s secretary has no authority to write such a letter because Parliament is obligated by the constitution to send every Bill to the President. So you cannot tell Parliament not to do its job,” the former President said.
This controversy arose after the Office of the President officially requested Parliament to hold off on transmitting the Bill to President Akufo-Addo due to pending legal challenges in the Supreme Court.
The letter, signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, cited ongoing applications for an order of interlocutory injunction and advised against taking any action until the court resolves the issues.
Mahama’s criticism echoes sentiments expressed by Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu, who characterised the President’s office’s actions as hindering Parliament’s duties and seeking predominance over other state organs.
“That is unacceptable and must be fought by all persons who love democracy and cherish the principles and values of the 1992 Constitution. This is a monumental threat to Ghana’s democracy and a monumental threat to Parliament as an institution. By Article 93 we are clothed with legislative authority and mandate.
“If you study how the letter was written, the tone was disrespectful. He (Secretary to the President) wrote the letter as if he has more authority than Parliament,” he added.
The clash highlights the ongoing debate and legal battles surrounding the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill in Ghanaian politics, emphasizing the complex interplay between executive authority, legislative mandates, and legal procedures.