Hon. Francis X’avier Sosu
Story by: Mary Adwoa Asamoah
The Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency in the Greater Accra Region ,who doubles as a Human Rights Lawyer, Honourable Francis X’avier Sosu Esq, has expressed his displeasure about the President of Ghana ,Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo -Addo’s refusal to assent the anti-witchcraft bill.
According to him, the anti-witchcraft bill seeks to protect vulnerable and aged women ,being maltreatment in some parts of Ghana because of witchcraft accusations.
He said the president’s refusal to assent such bill which will protect women, and he the president backing his refusal to sign with article 108 of the Constitution of Ghana is uncalled for.
“The President’s reason is unreasonable because, article 108 doesn’t applies to the President but rather to the speaker of Parliament or the one presiding when the bill was taken.”
“Because it is in the mind of that person when the bill has financial implications, then the person can rule that we can’t take the bill. It doesn’t necessarily refers to the President himself. But once the bill is passed it becomes an act of parliament. And the president is not in the position to reveal an act of parliament .I believe the President will assent this bill before his tenure of office ends, to help protect women.But if anybody thinks Article 108 has been breached, then the person should go to court” Hon. Sosu voiced
He stated this in an exclusive interview on TV3’s morning show “The New Day” with Berla Mundi On Wednesday,13th March 2024.
The Member of Parliament in less than his 4years in office has manoeuvred for the death penalty to be abolished in Ghana, which he describes as a “tremendously progress” in his human rights practise. Through his work as a legislator in the parliament of Ghana for less than 4 years, he has championed 17 Private Members Bill, covering human right issues of abolition of death penalty , victims of sexual violence, mental health, climate change, prohibition of witchcraft accusation, employment of people with disability, Community service for minor offenses etc and recently removal of taxes on Sanitary products, advocating for paternity leave, the extension of Maternity leave and initiating of two new Islamic Holidays . Out of the 17 Bills, 3 have been passed and one has received Presidential Assent.
On his stance about the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill which is awaiting the President’s assent in becoming a law, he emphasized that , what he said in 2021 concerning the passing of the bill which many people misinterpreted him, is the same concerns being raised by the Finance Ministry , The International Monetary Fund and many others.
According to Hon.Sosu, Some people play the video which went viral in 2021 after his interview with a Tv3 reporter , as part of a misinformation, a disinformation or a propaganda tool against him in tarnishing his reputation.
The Hon. Member debunked numerous allegations leveled against him, as he being gay promoter, endorsing gay, he is gay , and he being sponsored by the gay community.
“As a Human Right Lawyer and Activist, I still believe in the values and culture of my country. And as a staunch Christian whose believe is against the promotion of sin, there’s no way I will go against my Christian persuasion and promote sin”
“Homosexual is a sin per my Christian believe, the culture and the values of my country. I have never stood on any platform to promote and endorsed sin.I represent a Constituency that is religiously diversed,with a very good number of Muslims and a very good number of Christians. But I don’t buy the idea with the criminalised aspect of the bill.” He uttered.
Lawyer Sosu argued that, some straight people go to prison and after their term, come out as homosexuals. ” For me I don’t believe criminalizing sin is the way to go buy as far as the issue of LGBTQ+ is concern. The jail aspect of the bill should be reviewed. It can be in a form of Community Sentence, Finds and Custodia Sentence. ”
Speaking about the rationale behind his proposal and amendment of Paternity leave and maternity leave extension, he explained that, the traditional roles where relatives come and stay with a women when she gives birth have change.
He stressed that, most men now take care of their wives after they give birth, because relatives don’t come and stay with the women when they deliver anymore as it used to be sometime ago. Hence the need for paternity leave so the men can be home and help their wives after delivery.” With the women, because they need to give their babies 6 months exclusive breastmilk, the 3month Maternity leave needs to be extended to 6months, to help the well developed of the brains of the babies and the wellbeing of the mother as well “The Madina Mp educated.
Addressing issues pertaining to internal-political conflict in his Constituency, Hon. Francis X’avier Sosu revealed that, the conflict has been resolved and peace is reigning in the Constituency and within the party.
He then, appealed to all party faithfuls and his Constituents to rally behind him and the NDC party at Large with the Leadership of John Dramani Mahama. And again vote massively for him to retain power to continue with the welfare of his constituents. As well as to vote John Dramani Mahama into power come 2024 December polls, to save Ghana from the ongoing economic crisis.
Source: Tv3 Morning show(Newday)