LGBTQI Bill: I am in charge here – Bagbin tells Akufo-Addo

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has told President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to stay out of Parliament’s business over the LGBTQI bill currently before the house.

Addressing members of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of Parliament, the Speaker said as far as the laws of the country are concerned, it is parliament that decides. He said, the lawmakers represent the people and have the mandate to make laws. The executive he said, is mandated to execute the laws not make them.

Mr Bagbin was reacting to the President’s response to the Vice President of the USA, Kamala Harris’ call for freedom for all persons. President Akufo-Addo told the US Veep that there is no legislation in Ghana that infringes on human rights.

As for the anti-LGBTQI bill, he said it is a private members bill, not one sponsored by the state. He said the Attorney General is working to ensure it meets legal standards, adding that when it gets to his turn, he will intervene.

According to the President, “The bill is going through the parliament, it’s going through the parliament. The Attorney General has found it necessary to speak to the committee about it regarding the constitutionality or otherwise of several of its provisions and the Parliament is dealing with it but at the end of the process, I will come in”.

However, Mr Bagbin was not in the mood to take that as he reminded the President of his limits while reminding him of the powers of Parliament.

“As the Vice President[Kamala Harris] just did yesterday. This thing should not be tolerated, that is undemocratic. What is democracy? That somebody else would have to dictate to me as to what is good and what is bad? Unheard of,” he remarked.

“Because we have decided to devalue ourselves and go begging? God has created more than enough for every person, is just because you are looking for someone else’s share, not yours. We have more than enough in the world. The bill will be passed,” he affirmed.

Then he added, “This is a word to his excellency the President there is no way he can intervene. That answer he gave that it is now before Parliament and when it gets to a stage that he has to, he will come in. Please, this is legislation, not execution. Wait until we pass it and we direct you to execute it, that is when you come in. That is why we are representatives of the people so in terms of law, which is part of policy, we finalize it and then the executive now has the authority to implement it, [and] execute it.

“Let’s get this clear, once this bill is before here[Parliament], he is not in charge, I am in charge,” he reminded the President. He then added, “I hope the US Vice President is not yet gone, but she will read from me”.