Former President Akufo-Addo's refusal to sign the Anti-Gay Bill has drawn harsh criticism from Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alban Bagbin, who condemned the decision as unconstitutional.

In a speech to the Ghanaian community in Côte d'Ivoire on January 21, 2025, Bagbin emphasized that it is Parliament, not the president, that holds the power to pass laws.

“The LGBTQ bill was passed by Parliament, and the former president refused to assent to it, which was unconstitutional. There is no law that allows the president to refuse or fail to assent to a bill passed by Parliament,” Bagbin stated.

“Parliament is the authority for passing laws, not any other person, not the president. That decision was wrong, and all of you punished him for that,” he added.

Bagbin also shared his intention to present the bill to President Mahama for assent after consulting with the new Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

He expressed confidence that the bill would be passed this year, emphasizing its significance.

“I am going to write to the new Attorney General and Minister for Justice for his comments so we can resend it to the new president for his assent. It will not take long; it will be passed this year. It is anti-God. Nobody should joke with me when it comes to that matter. I can lose my life because of that,” the Speaker of Parliament stated.

Alban Bagbin has made it clear that the bill will be passed, even at great personal cost.