Edem Agbana clashes with Weija-Gbawe MP over calls for Mahama to assent anti-gay bill

A heated exchange has ensued between Ketu North MP Eric Edem Agbana and Weija-Gbawe MP Jerry Ahmed Shaib over President John Dramani Mahama’s position on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

The debate, sparked by a social media post from Ahmed Shaib, questioned the President’s commitment to signing the bill into law.

Ahmed Shaib, in his post on Thursday, January 16, accused the President of inconsistency on the issue, saying, “President Mahama cannot be duplicitous in addressing the LGBTTQQIAAP+ matter. He must assent to the bill now!”

In a response, Edem Agbana dismissed Shaib’s claims as misleading, asserting that the bill had expired with the dissolution of the previous Parliament.

He argued that President Mahama has already shown commitment to the cause by announcing plans to sponsor and reintroduce the bill in the new Parliament.

“It is highly surprising for someone in a leadership position within the minority caucus of Parliament to make such misleading claims,” Edem Agbana wrote. “Basic parliamentary knowledge should inform you that a bill expires with the dissolution of Parliament. Your president, the former president, refused to assent to the bill. Meanwhile, your party resorted to legal gymnastics by taking the matter to court.”

Ahmed Shaib, however, countered Agbana’s remarks, stating that the Constitution supports the continuity of governance, including bills awaiting presidential assent.

“A bill awaiting presidential assent, in my respectful view, does NOT expire with the dissolution of Parliament,” the Weija MP argued. He cited Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Orders 174 to 175 of the Standing Orders of Parliament as evidence.

Ahmed Shaib further questioned President Mahama’s commitment to his promises, remarking, “If President Akufo-Addo failed to assent to the bill, does that justify President Mahama doing the same, despite his promises? Leadership demands integrity and consistency.”

Background on the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill, officially known as the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” has been a contentious topic in Ghana’s political discourse.

It seeks to criminalize activities and advocacy related to LGBTQ+ rights and has faced both local and international criticism for being discriminatory.

While the bill was passed by the previous Parliament, it never received presidential assent, leaving it in legislative limbo.

President Mahama, during his campaign, pledged to address the matter, a promise that has heightened public scrutiny on his administration.