A Senior Programmes Officer at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr Michael Akagbor, has expressed disappointment over recent remarks made by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, concerning the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

The Speaker, during a recent engagement, pledged his unwavering commitment to ensuring the bill’s passage, even if it came at a personal cost.

The controversial anti-gay bill, which was passed by the 8th Parliament, expired after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not assent to it before leaving office.

Speaking to Citi News, Dr Akagbor criticised the Speaker’s comments, arguing that Parliament should focus its attention on addressing more pressing national concerns.

“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. So if you had followed the bill from last year, even when the Speaker had promised that it was going to become law before the last tenure of Parliament had ended, we did realise that that did not happen. 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, things that will put food on the table for Ghanaians.”