Majority Leader Ayariga defends anti-LGBTQ bill passage against Speaker Bagbin's concerns
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has defended Parliament's passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, stating that the process complied with parliamentary procedures and does not need to be revisited. This follows concerns raised by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who directed Parliament to revisit the bill, questioning aspects of its passage on May 29, 2026. Speaking on Joy FM's Top Story on June 2, 2026, Ayariga maintained the bill was validly passed and dismissed suggestions of procedural irregularities. He explained that a motion to abridge time addressed concerns about the required 24-hour interval between stages of consideration, which he said was approved by the First Deputy Speaker. Speaker Bagbin had argued that the bipartisan support reflected in the committee report was not clearly demonstrated during floor proceedings, stating that the legitimacy of such significant legislation depends on broad parliamentary consensus and strict adherence to procedures. The disagreement contributes to the ongoing debate over the bill, which still requires additional constitutional processes to become law.
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Must ReadPresident John Dramani Mahama has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to voluntarily return to Ghana as the government pursues legal processes for his extradition. Speaking in the Volta Region on July 17, 2026, President Mahama referenced Ofori-Atta's past statement about not abandoning his 'children' Ghanaians and called on him to face the issues. He questioned why a public official who believes they acted properly would flee the country. President Mahama emphasized that any extradition must adhere to international legal standards and respect individual rights. He confirmed that the Attorney General鈥檚 Department has initiated the process by filing an application and providing additional requested documents, with a US court ultimately deciding on the extradition request.
Must ReadAlhaji Nasir Mohammed Ibrahim, the Ashanti Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation NADMO, has expressed alarm over 23 deaths from drowning in abandoned illegal mining galamsey pits between January and June 2026. The fatalities, comprising 12 adults and 11 children, occurred across 19 districts in the Ashanti Region. NADMO recovered 19 bodies, with four victims still missing. Alhaji Ibrahim noted that illegal mining continues in 23 districts, increasing accident risks, especially during the rainy season. He urged miners, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies MMDAs, and other stakeholders to collaborate with NADMO to establish, train, and equip rescue divers and emergency swimmers. The Director also highlighted the public health benefits of ongoing drainage desilting and clean-up exercises, which reduce disease spread and promote cleaner communities by improving stormwater flow and raising sanitation awareness. He mentioned that NADMO headquarters, along with NGOs and faith-based organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Qatar Foundation, and Stanbic Bank Ghana, are supporting disaster victims in other parts of the country. Alhaji Ibrahim appealed for similar support for the Ashanti Region to enhance disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery efforts, emphasizing that sustained collaboration among various entities is crucial for reducing disaster risks and protecting lives and property.
The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service GHS held an engagement in Takoradi to equip key stakeholders with knowledge and skills for cholera prevention. Supported by the West Africa Health Organisation, this initiative is part of GHS's post-flooding cholera preparedness and response activities, aiming to strengthen community awareness and promote preventive measures. Representatives from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, food vendors association, Protoa Transport Union, media practitioners, and officials from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan and Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assemblies attended. The goal was to empower participants to educate the public on cholera prevention, early detection, prompt reporting, and appropriate response measures. Dr. Serwah Amoah, Chief Nursing Officer at the Ministry of Health, stated that the engagement is an intervention to train influential individuals on cholera preventive mechanisms for community sensitization. She emphasized the importance of adhering to GHS cholera preventive protocols, such as regular hand washing with soap under running water and maintaining clean surroundings, and urged individuals experiencing symptoms like vomiting and severe diarrhea to visit a health facility. Dr. Amoah also called on media practitioners to use their platforms to sensitize the public on prevention guidelines. Participants committed to sharing their acquired knowledge within their communities to help prevent cholera outbre