Dr. Abraham Gyamfi, a lecturer at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), has defended the parliamentary passage of the anti‑LGBTQ bill, saying the measure moved through legitimate procedures and that suggestions the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, opposed the bill are unfounded.
Speaking on Fakye TV’s Daybreak morning show, Dr. Gyamfi rejected criticism that Speaker Bagbin’s instructions amounted to a blockade of the bill.
“His directive does not mean they cannot move forward after consideration,” he said, adding that the Speaker’s decision to call for consideration and leave early did not prevent the House from following standard processes.
“The fact that they were able to do the two at the same time does not mean the Speaker is against its passing,” Dr. Gyamfi told host Fakye TV.
He compared the situation to a lecture: if there is time to cover a topic a lecturer will do so; if not, the class is scheduled for later. “It’s just the normal thing,” he said.
When asked whether the speed with which the bill was passed might produce drafting errors, Dr. Gyamfi acknowledged concerns but argued that rapid passage is not unusual in lawmaking.
“Even our constitution is under review. Even the mother constitution is still under review,” he said. “For me it is a good starter for us; then going forward we can look at all potholes in it and we can fill them.”
He said lawmakers needed a legal foundation to work from and that subsequent debates, court cases and review processes would reveal sections that should be amended or removed.
“If you don’t know how to start you start anyhow. At least getting it passed, we have a basis,” he said. “Going forward, the situations and cases that will come will let us know this should be removed or remain, that is how we develop any law.”
Dr. Gyamfi also weighed in on President John Dramani Mahama’s remarks about the bill, saying the President’s approach was standard practice.
“There is no law that has gone to the President that he doesn’t look over before assenting,” he said, noting that the President normally consults legal advisers and councils before giving assent.
“So for me that is the order, especially when he has heard concerns being raised on the matter.”
Dr. Gyamfi concluded that while some Ghanaian voices have pointed out loopholes in the bill, he does not believe there is broad opposition to the law’s passage; rather, he urged that the legislative and review processes be used to refine the measure after assent.
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
