Parliament failed Ghanaians by not using two-thirds majority to pass LGBTQ bill, says Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu

Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, stated that Parliament failed Ghanaians by not using its constitutional power to pass the LGBTQ bill into law after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not assent to it. Speaking during a debate, Iddrisu explained that Parliament passed the bill and sent it to the former president, but did not take the necessary constitutional steps to ensure it became law. He argued that Parliament had the authority to act but failed to exercise it. Iddrisu cited Article 106, stating that the President is constitutionally required to either assent to a bill or return it to Parliament within seven days. He maintained that failure to act within that timeframe amounted to a breach of the Constitution. The Member of Parliament for Tamale South stressed that even if the President refused to assent, Parliament had the constitutional backing to override this inaction with a two-thirds majority, which it failed to do. He noted that both sides of the House, the NDC and NPP, demonstrated support for the bill and had the required numbers to pass it, but ultimately did not act. Iddrisu emphasized that Parliament must always act in line with the will of the people it represents.