‘I’m against anti-LGBTQI Bill and am not shy to say it’ – Gabby
A member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has stated his opposition on the controversial anti-LGBTQI+ Bill.
He said he is not shy to kick against the bill.
Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko insists he is a proud Ghanaian and cherishes all Ghanaian values which include tolerance.
According to him, as a result of that, he will continue to defend the rights of minority groups everywhere.
He made these comments in a Twitter post on Thursday, November 11, 2021.
“I am against the anti-gay bill & not shy to say so. I am a proud Ghanaian who cherishes all that is good about our value systems, including tolerance.”
“And, I will defend the right of minorities everywhere. I have the courage and a sense of justice to disagree with the majority.”
One of the lead sponsors of the private member’s bill, the NDC MP for Ningo-Prampram, Mr. Sam George, appears not to have taken Gabby’s comment lightly as he responded to him on Twitter.
Mr. Sam George in a Twitter post said he is also against nepotism, cronyism and despotism which are not part of Ghana’s values.
“Is nepotism, cronyism and despotism part of our value systems? You can be against the Bill and that’s fine, but so am I against the corruption and misrule of your Cousin. As for the Bill nu, we go pass am p33. Grab a drink and popcorn and watch something. Cheers.”
Earlier in the day, a group of Concerned Ghanaian Citizens asked the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament to recommend an outright rejection of the bill to the plenary.
Among other things, they argued that a Bill of this nature could only be tabled by the executive arm of government.
“Our respectful submission here is that the Bill has been introduced in Parliament, not in the manner laid down. This is because this is a private member’s Bill and under Article 108 of the constitution it is the President or his agents who can introduce Bills generally in Parliament, and where a Bill does not impose a charge on the Consolidated Fund or any public funds, then it may be introduced by any Private Bill,” spokespersons for the group, Akoto Ampaw said.
He said there will be extensive duties and costs on the Ghana Police Service if the proposed law is effectively enforced.
The therapy and medical outline in the bill may also be funded by the state, Mr. Ampaw argued further.
“These clearly imposed costs, charges on the Consolidated Fund, and therefore ought not to have been introduced [by a private member’s Bill],” Mr. Ampaw said.
Source: citinews
