Joseph Osei-Owusu, the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has provided an explanation for the delay in addressing the Ghanaian anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Parliament.
Mr. Osei-Owusu stated that progress on the bill requires the approval of the Speaker, considering that two lawsuits have been filed against it.
“In respect of that bill, there’s a court action pending which Mr. Speaker has been made a party. Mr Speaker brought the court action to the attention of leaders, and so I think in considering programming or not programming, you may wish to discuss with the Speaker and what steps he may take before you programme them,” the 1st Deputy Speaker told the House.
The Ghanaian anti-LGBTQ+ bill, known as the Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, is a private member’s bill sponsored by the Ningo-Prampram MP, Sam George, along with other Members of Parliament.
However, the bill has encountered significant obstacles as two lawsuits have been filed against it—one at the High Court and the other at the Supreme Court.
As a result, Parliament has decided to take a cautious approach and slow down the decision-making process regarding the bill, causing a significant setback in its progress.
During a session in the House, Sam George expressed his dissatisfaction with the business committee for not scheduling the bill for consideration.
He thereby suggested that the committee tables the bill for the business of the House.
Mr George contended that “We [Parliament] can begin to sit on it and do the second reading, tending other government business, so if they can table it for next week, we will be grateful.”
But the 1st Deputy Speaker reiterated that the Speaker should be consulted as to whether or not Parliament could continue with the proceedings in the light of the constitutional interpretation that is being sought against the bill.
However, Mr Osei-Owusu assured that they would engage to decide the next step to take to avoid a “clash with the judiciary.”