Dr. Michael Akagbor, a Senior Programmes Officer at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has strongly criticized the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for prioritizing the controversial anti-gay bill instead of addressing pressing national issues.
The bill, which was passed by the 8th Parliament, expired after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo failed to sign it into law before leaving office. Dr. Akagbor emphasized that the Speaker’s focus should be on policies that alleviate the economic hardships faced by many Ghanaians.
While acknowledging that the Speaker is entitled to his views, Dr. Akagbor argued that personal opinions do not automatically translate into law. He pointed out that despite promises made by the Speaker last year to ensure the bill became law before the end of the previous parliamentary term, it has failed to progress.
“Despite the fact that he is the Speaker, he is also entitled to his views and opinions on how he views issues, but it doesn’t translate into law because he is a Speaker of Parliament,” said Dr. Akagbor.
He expressed his disappointment at the Speaker’s continued emphasis on the bill, stressing that it should have been deprioritized in favor of more urgent issues.
“So, as to how I will react to what he has said, I am very disappointed. I thought that this issue would have been pushed aside with time and then we would have been more focused on addressing issues that are of utmost importance to Ghanaians,” he added.
Dr. Akagbor called for a shift in focus toward economic policies that directly impact the livelihoods of Ghanaians. “Things that will put food on the table for Ghanaians,” he said, underlining the urgency for legislative attention on food security and economic stability rather than on divisive issues.
This critique reflects the growing frustration among citizens and stakeholders regarding Parliament’s focus amid worsening national challenges.
