By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, May 22, GNA – Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has defended the House over delays in passing the long-awaited Property Rights of Spouses Bill.
He explained that the matter involved deep national, religious, and cultural sensitivities that required broad consensus rather than rushed legislation.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday as the House resumed Sitting for the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, Mr Bagbin said lawmakers remained fully committed to passing the bill but cautioned activists against placing sole blame on Parliament for the prolonged delay.
“Trying to talk about property rights of spouses, you meet challenges. It is not the failure of the Parliament of Ghana. It is a challenge for the country. And we have to meet halfway,” he said.
“So, blame should not be placed on the Parliament of Ghana, because we don’t enact laws. We pass laws that are acceptable to our people,” he added.
The Property Rights of Spouses Bill has remained before successive parliaments for years despite growing pressure from women’s rights groups and legal advocates for legislation to regulate the equitable distribution of property acquired during marriage.
Mr Bagbin acknowledged public concerns over the absence of a clear legal framework but said Parliament had had to proceed cautiously because of the complexity of Ghana’s diverse marriage systems and religious beliefs.
“This passage is important for promoting fairness and protecting family stability. However, because of its sensitivity, we have given exceptional attention to it through deep consultations with all stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness, consensus building, and a smooth path to implementation,” he stated.
He explained that different religious and cultural groups held varying views on spousal property rights, making negotiations difficult.
He said, “The Muslim community is very clear in their minds that the Holy Quran has spelled out details as to these matters of spousal rights, property rights of spouses.”
The Speaker pointed to Ghana’s multiple marriage systems, including customary, Christian, and Mohammedan marriages, as part of the complexity surrounding the proposed law.
“Please, the word spouse comes from the Latin word sponsus, which means betroth. And so when we have a law that gives opportunity to different groups to marry differently, and so you have the Mohammedan Marriage Act, and you also have that of the Christians, and you also have that of the traditional people,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, the Speaker assured Ghanaians that Parliament had not abandoned the legislation and remained determined to see it passed.
“So please, I want to assure Ghanaians that Parliament remains committed to seeing this bill through in a manner that is just, pragmatic, and consensual,” he emphasised.
The bill is among several reintroduced measures, the Speaker said must be processed speedily and transparently during the current meeting.
Parliament went on recess on Friday, March 27 for the Easter break.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei