Anti-LGBT bill: Mahama’s call for further review is ‘perfectly in order’ – Dafeamekpor

Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to signing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill once parliamentary processes are fully completed.

His comments come in response to public debate sparked by President Mahama’s recent remarks at Chatham House in London, where he declined to explicitly state whether he would assent to the bill if it reaches his desk. Instead, the President outlined the constitutional procedures and administrative steps required before a final decision can be made.

The President’s remarks prompted criticism from some quarters, with opponents questioning whether he remained committed to a key campaign promise regarding the controversial legislation.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Dafeamekpor dismissed suggestions that the President was backtracking on his pledge, insisting that Mahama was merely explaining the constitutional process that governs presidential assent to legislation.

“The President’s reference to the fact that Parliament will still clean up the bill before it gets to him is in order,” Dafeamekpor stated.

According to him, the bill is currently undergoing post-passage scrutiny and drafting, a parliamentary process that involves consolidating all approved amendments and incorporating them into the final version before it is transmitted to the Presidency.

He explained that after a bill is passed at the third reading stage, all amendments must be properly organised and reflected in the final text before it can be forwarded for presidential consideration.

Dafeamekpor further rejected claims that President Mahama’s cautious response signalled hesitation or uncertainty about signing the legislation.

He argued that the President was simply outlining the constitutional options available to him, including the possibility of referring a bill back to Parliament with recommendations if necessary.

The Majority Chief Whip also referenced criticism directed at former President Nana Akufo-Addo over his handling of the same legislation, arguing that constitutional procedures must be respected throughout the process.

“One of the criticisms against President Akufo-Addo is that even when he objected to assenting to it, he ought to have triggered the provision that empowered him to refer the bill back to Parliament with a recommendation. He didn’t do that,” he said.

Dafeamekpor revealed that President Mahama has consistently assured party leadership and stakeholders of his commitment to the bill.

“I have engaged the President privately on the matter. We have engaged him as parliamentary leadership, as a caucus and as a party. He is committed,” he stated.

He noted that support for the bill formed part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign commitments and stressed that the President has no intention of abandoning that promise.

“He will sign it. The President will not shy away from it. He made a promise to the clergy that it would be signed, and he is not walking away from that commitment,” Dafeamekpor added.

The South Dayi legislator also dismissed allegations by the Minority that the bill was passed without the required parliamentary quorum, describing the claims as unfounded.

According to him, the concerns raised by the Minority amount to an unnecessary political controversy and do not affect the validity of the bill’s passage.

Dafeamekpor expressed confidence that the remaining post-passage scrutiny process would be completed within one or two weeks, after which the legislation would be forwarded to the President for assent.

“It’s quite a skeletal bill. The post-passage scrutiny may be completed in a week or two. Once it reaches the President’s office, he will sign it,” he concluded.