CDD-Ghana Official Criticizes Speaker Bagbin’s Remarks on Anti-Gay Bill
Dr. Michael Akagbor, a Senior Programmes Officer at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has expressed disappointment over recent remarks by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin regarding the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
Speaker Pledges Commitment to Anti-Gay Bill
During a recent engagement, Speaker Bagbin vowed his unwavering support for the controversial anti-gay bill, even stating he would see it passed “at a personal cost.” The bill, initially passed by the 8th Parliament, expired when former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not assent to it before leaving office.
Akagbor: Parliament Should Focus on Key National Issues
Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Akagbor criticized the Speaker’s remarks, arguing that Parliament should prioritize pressing national challenges over the anti-gay bill.
“Despite being Speaker, he is entitled to his views, but those views don’t translate into law,” Dr. Akagbor remarked. “Even when he pledged the bill’s passage last year, it didn’t happen. I am very disappointed. I thought this issue would have faded by now, allowing Parliament to focus on urgent concerns that directly impact Ghanaians’ livelihoods.”
A Call to Address Pressing National Concerns
Dr. Akagbor emphasized that Ghana’s legislative focus should be on issues that improve citizens’ lives. He urged Parliament to prioritize policies that create jobs, address economic challenges, and improve the well-being of the populace rather than revisiting divisive topics.
This development reignites debates about legislative priorities in the face of Ghana’s pressing socio-economic challenges.