Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has provided fresh insight into the origins and progress of the LGBTQ Bill, as Parliament prepares to take further action on the proposed legislation.

Speaking ahead of an upcoming sitting, the Minister revealed that he was among the original group of lawmakers involved in initiating the bill during the 8th Parliament. He stressed that the process was driven by Members of Parliament and not the Executive.

According to him, the initial arrangement required eight sponsors, evenly split between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“We had agreed on four members from each side to sign on to the bill,” he explained.

However, he disclosed that the process encountered a setback when three NPP MPs reportedly withdrew at the final stage. This development, he said, necessitated the inclusion of additional NDC members to meet the required number of sponsors.

“In the end, we had to bring in more members to proceed, and that is how the bill was successfully introduced,” he said.

The minister cautioned against attempts to politicise the bill, insisting that no single political party can claim sole credit for its introduction.

“That political advantage some may be seeking no longer exists. This was a collective parliamentary effort,” he stated.

He further emphasised that the bill is a Private Member’s Bill, noting that the President’s role is limited to granting assent after parliamentary approval. He defended the President’s comments on the matter, including remarks made at the United Nations, describing them as consistent with constitutional provisions.

The minister also revealed that he has engaged key stakeholders, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament, and religious leaders, throughout the process.

The Constitutional and Legal Committee of Parliament is expected to meet on the 23rd to deliberate on the bill. The Minister expressed confidence that the legislation will progress when Parliament reconvenes.

He added that once passed by Parliament, the President has indicated his readiness to assent to the bill in accordance with due process.