Mahama’s Response On Anti-Gay Bill Was Appropriate – Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has backed President John Dramani Mahama’s response regarding the enactment of the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The bill which was passed under the erstwhile Akufo-Addo regime continues to lie in wait to becoming effectual as the then President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cited legal challenges.
It is however expected that the current President, John Dramani Mahama, will sign the bill particularly when a member of his party, the National Democratic Congress, Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram, is the chief proponent of it.
The bill is aimed at criminalizing homosexuality in Ghana; offenders may face a jail term.
But President Mahama, in response to his signing of the bill, said the bill had expired with the previous Parliament.
“…as far as I know, the bill did not get to the President for assent and so, the convention is that all bills that are not ascended to before the expiration of the life of Parliament expire. And so that bill effectively is dead, it has expired.”
He also criticized the bill being a private members’ stating “I don’t know what the promoters of the bill intend to do but I do think that we should have on it again so that all of us, if we decide to move that bill forward, we move it forward with a consensus and probably it shouldn’t be a Private Member’s Bill; it probably should be a government bill with government behind it after consultation with all the stakeholders…”
Commenting on the President’s reply during an interview on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that the bill was unconstitutionally laid before the 8th Parliament.
Citing Article 108, the former Majority Leader and Suame MP stressed since the bill wasn’t appropriately laid before the House, it would be difficult for a presidential assent, hence, to him, President Mahama’s response is apt.
“I’m happy that he has received good advice and said he will take a look at Article 108, ensuring they rearrange the bill to either come from government…I agree with President Mahama”, he replied, also stating categorically that the President proposing it should be a government bill is the “appropriate thing”.
When asked whether Mahama’s response vindicates Ex-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who raised legal concerns over the bill, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu answered; “Akufo-Addo didn’t do any wrong but because of politics, it became noisy.”
Source: Ghmessenger.com
