The Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been recognized by the Chiefs and people of the Suma Traditional Council in the Bono and Ahafo regions for his role in Parliament’s consideration of the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill”, popularly known as the “Anti-Gay Bill”.
A high-powered delegation led by Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III, the Paramount Chief of the Suma Traditional Council in the Bono Region called on the Speaker on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, to confer on him a Chieftaincy title for his outstanding commitment to the preservation of Ghanaian social and traditional values.
Ever since the Private Members Bill which seeks to provide a framework for the promotion of desirable family values and social norms in Ghana was introduced by the sponsors, the Speaker has stood his grounds in support of the passage of the Bill and for ensuring that it did not perish at the Committee level as others which never saw the light of day.
Amidst the beating of the festive traditional fromtomfrom drums to signify the presence of royalty, the leader of the delegation presented to the Speaker a plaque made up of a symbol of two crossed traditional royal swords known as “Akofena” and a citation.
The Leader of the delegation explained that Akofena which means “sword of war”, is a symbol of state authority, and legality, that legitimized the authority of a ruler, and recognition of the gallantry of heroic deeds.
Flanked by the Chiefs and Queen mothers from the traditional council, Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III informed the Speaker and his entourage of an invitation to the Speaker for his official Chieftaincy coronation ceremony later in the year.
“We are excited as a people to honor you with this Chieftaincy title for the good work you are doing for generations yet unborn. This is a good way to offload yourself unto the future generation,” he said.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin received the gift and thanked the Traditional Council for the Honour done to him and the 8 Members of Parliament who sponsored the Bill.
He indicated in his acceptance speech that the gesture is a stamp of approval by traditional authorities for their work in Parliament.
Representatives of the Leadership of the House made up of the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson; Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan; Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, as well as some of the sponsoring Members such as Hon. Emmanuel Bedzra and Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini were present at the event.
Source: Clement Akoloh
