Ghana Parliament: Reverses LGBTQ Bill Passage Over Penalty Errors

• Ghana's Parliament will reverse the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to correct errors in its penalty provisions.
• Majority Leader James Agalga confirmed the move, citing issues like incorrect computation of penalty units that could hinder judicial application.
• The reversal will allow lawmakers to reopen consideration of the bill and rectify the identified flaws before sending it to the President.
• This decision follows months of controversy, including previous concerns raised by Speaker Alban Bagbin regarding procedural compliance.
• Parliament intends to complete these corrections during the current meeting, with the bill expected to reach the President this month.

This procedural step will allow lawmakers to reopen consideration of the legislation and rectify the identified issues before its transmission to the President.

Ghana's Parliament is poised to reverse the passage of the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, a decision driven by the need to rectify significant errors found within its penalty provisions. Majority Leader James Agalga publicly disclosed this upcoming procedural step, explaining that the current formulation contains flaws, particularly in the calculation of penalty units. Such inaccuracies, he warned, could lead to substantial difficulties for courts attempting to apply the proposed law effectively.

To address these issues, the legislative body will formally rescind its prior approval of the bill at the third-reading stage. This action is crucial as it will enable members of Parliament to reopen consideration of the legislation, allowing for the necessary corrections to be made before the bill is ultimately forwarded to the President for assent. Mr. Agalga emphasized that while these adjustments are vital for the bill's practical implementation, they are not expected to alter its core substance, ensuring that the fundamental tenets of the legislation remain intact.

This planned reversal follows several months of controversy that have surrounded the bill since its initial passage on May 29. Following that approval, Speaker Alban Bagbin had previously instructed Parliament to revisit the entire process. His directive stemmed from concerns regarding procedural compliance and whether the bipartisan support observed at the committee level was accurately reflected during the floor vote.

At the time, the then-Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, defended the passage, asserting that Parliament had adhered to all its established rules. The legislation also sparked considerable debate over proposed exemptions for specific professional groups, including journalists, lawyers, and health professionals. Critics within Parliament argued that these changes would weaken the bill's impact, while its proponents maintained that the exemptions were necessary to protect legitimate professional duties.

Mr. Agalga further elaborated that the current intervention specifically targets the practical application of the penalties outlined in the bill. He cautioned that without these critical corrections, the legislation, in its present form, would encounter severe challenges during its implementation phase. Parliament is committed to completing these necessary amendments during its ongoing meeting, signaling a clear intent to move forward with the bill.

When questioned about the timeline, Mr. Agalga confidently affirmed that the bill is expected to reach the President within the current month. He also explicitly dismissed any suggestions that the delay in the bill's transmission indicates a shift in the President's stance on the matter, countering what he termed "wild speculations." The Majority Leader underscored Parliament's inherent responsibility to identify and rectify such defects, asserting that it is the legislative body's duty to ensure laws are properly enacted before their final transmission.

Source: Original reporting via Abubakar Ibrahim