Speaker Alban Bagbin has categorically stated that President Akufo-Addo cannot overturn the outcome of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill should Parliament pass it.
Speaking during a meeting with some religious leaders, he said the President cannot interfere with the works of the House.
“This is a word to the President of the Republic, there is no way you can intervene,” he said.
The Speaker’s comment was in reaction to a claim by the President regarding the passage of the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ before Parliament.
President Akufo-Addo, during a joint press brief held on Monday, March 27, 2023, for himself and the Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, at the Jubilee House, distanced himself from the Bill.
He clarified that his administration has no hand in the proposition of the Bill and further asserted that he would “come in” after the passage of the Bill.
“The Bill is going through the Parliament [and] the Attorney has found it necessary to speak to the committee about it regarding the constitutionality, otherwise, of several of its provisions and the Parliament is dealing with it.
“At the end of the process I will come in but in the meantime the Parliament is dealing with it. And then I have no doubt that the Parliament of Ghana will show as it’s done in the past, first of all its sensitivity to human rights issues as well as to the feelings of our population and we’ll come out with a responsible response to the proposed Bill,” the President added.
However, it appears this comment has triggered anger buttons of some personalities in the country, of which the Speaker is among.
In reaction, the Speaker called President’s bluff, insisting he (President Akufo-Addo) has no say after Parliament decides on the Bill.
“The Bill will be passed…That answer he gave that it’s now before Parliament and when it gets to a stage that he has to he will come in. Hey, please , this is Legislation, this is not Execution.
“Wait until we pass it and we direct you to execute it . That is when you come in, that’s why we are the representatives of the people. So in terms of Law which is part of policy, we finalise it and then the Executive now has the authority to implement it.
“Let’s get this clear, while this Bill is before here, he’s not in charge , I am in charge,” he added.