Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Constituency, has issued a clarifying statement regarding recent media report described as misrepresentation of his remarks concerning President Akufo-Addo and the LGBTQ+ bill.
Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, asserted that the President Akufo Addo risks imprisonment if he proceeds to sign the anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law, amidst an ongoing Supreme Court injunction.
The bill, which was passed by Parliament in February 2024, has become contentious due to President Akufo Addo’s refusal to assent it.
This has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who labeled the refusal by President to receive the bill for consideration as unconstitutional.
However, the President’s hesitation reportedly stems from the legal challenge posed by an injunction filed at the Supreme Court.
Addressing congregants of The Church of Pentecost during the Easter Convention in Koforidua, MP Okyere Baafi dismissed claims suggesting intentional delay by the President, citing the legal hindrance as the primary obstacle.
Okyere Baafi stated that “but as the President prepares to receive and assent the bill some human rights activists took the matter to the Supreme Court injucting the president from signing. if President goes ahead to sign he will be imprisoned. The people who sent the matter to court want the president to be jailed if he signs the bill”
In the clarifying statement by the MP Michael Okyere Baafi he reiterated his support for the bill, emphasizing MPs’ duty to uphold the constitution’s prohibition of LGBTQ+ activities.
He clarified that any delays in the bill’s passage were due to legal procedures, not the President’s opposition, citing a petition filed with the Supreme Court as one such procedure.
Hon. Baafi regretted the misinterpretation of his remarks, stating that his comments on potential legal consequences for the President were taken out of context and were not intended as a threat.
He emphasized President Akufo-Addo’s consistent support for the bill, rooted in its merit as a necessary legislative measure.
Highlighting the importance of accurate information in public discourse, Hon. Baafi urged individuals to discern fact from misrepresentation and condemned any attempts at manipulation.
He expressed confidence that this clarification would rectify misunderstandings stemming from the misrepresented headline and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting truth and transparency in public discourse.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
