The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has told the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin that he cannot make predetermination for the House in relation to the anti-gay bill which is currently before legislature.
The Suame Member of Parliament explained at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday October 12 that the Speaker is not a lawmaker hence, does not have the powers to make any determination in this matter.
At best, he said, he can make a referral to Parliament which will be programmed by the business committee for consideration.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told journalists that “If I heard right, the Speaker was even saying that the bill is going to be passed but I have a little bit of challenge with that. Technically the speaker is not even a Member of Parliament, the speaker cannot commit Parliament. 7
The Speaker can make a referral to Parliament which will be programmed by the business committee for consideration. I will find it difficult if we have a speaker who will in spite of his own antecedent as former Member of Parliament to say that Parliament is going to pass the bill. It is a bit of a difficulty.
“I am not saying that parliament is not going to pass the bill but the speaker should not make a predetermination for the house because he is not a member of parliament and this is the business of parliament.”
He further stated that in principle, no lawmaker is against the antigay bill which is currently before parliament.
“In principle, I am not sure any Member of Parliament will be against the principle of this bill. I am an African, I am a Ghanaian , an Ashanti, Kwabre man and I have my own values.
“I have my own upbringing, one that is shaped by my tradition and upbringing. As I have said along the line, I am Christian, I was born into Assemblies of God church so my faith also impacts on my upbringing. But that is not the only thing that shapes my upbringing,
