The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has clarified that Parliament is still in the process of finalizing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, before sending it to the Presidency for approval.
Afenyo-Markin explained that the bill underwent numerous amendments and requires further refinement before being forwarded to the President. Once finalized, the Clerk-to-Parliament will authenticate the bill for certification by the Speaker.
“As the Leader of the House, I can confirm that we have not completed the process, and it’s important for the public to understand this to avoid misconceptions that the bill has already been sent to the Presidency,” he said during a press briefing in Parliament on March 4, 2024.
According to Article 106, once a bill is passed by Parliament, the President must signify assent within seven days. If the President refuses to sign, Parliament must be informed of the reasons within 14 days. If Parliament deems the bill crucial, it can compel the President’s assent through a two-thirds majority resolution.
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The President seems to have come under pressure lately over the signing of the bill. While consecutive groups and sponsors of the bill have urged him to put his final seal of approval to the bill, rights groups and institutions have urged otherwise.
The Finance Ministry recently asked Nana Akufo-Addo to put on hold the signing of the bill over economic implications for the country.
But the President himself has made public comments regarding the signing of the bill. While speaking with members of the Diplomatic Corps at Peduase in the Eastern Reion, Nana Akufo-Addo said he would await a legal verdict from the Supreme Court before deciding to sign the bill or not.
