Anti-Gay Bill: Haruna Iddrisu raises concerns

The Member of Parliament Haruna Iddrisu, has raised serious concerns regarding a communication from the Presidency instructing Parliament not to forward the Bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values to President Akufo-Addo for his assent, labeling it a significant threat to Ghana’s democratic principles.

Issued on March 18, 2024, the letter from the Office of the President requested Parliament to withhold transmitting the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to President Akufo-Addo for his approval. Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Secretary to the President, justified this decision by citing the existence of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court.

Addressing the press, Haruna Iddrisu voiced his apprehension, characterizing the directive as indicative of President Akufo-Addo’s ambition to exert dominance over other branches of government. He urged the public and all stakeholders to unite in preventing the president from exceeding his constitutional mandate.

Expressing his concerns, he stated, “I am deeply troubled by this development, as it poses a significant threat to Ghana’s democratic fabric and undermines the integrity of Parliament as an institution. According to Article 93 of the Constitution, Parliament is vested with the authority and mandate to legislate. The communication from the president’s office appears to be an attempt to assert undue influence over the legislative process, which is unacceptable and must be resisted by all who value democracy and uphold the principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.”

Highlighting the constitutional framework of separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, Haruna Iddrisu questioned the legitimacy of the communication from the president’s secretary to the Clerk of Parliament, rather than directly from the president to the Speaker of Parliament as stipulated by parliamentary procedures. He emphasized that such correspondence lacks official standing and should be disregarded by the Clerk.