The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed has categorically denied claims that he described Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful as an LGBTQ+ practitioner.
According to him, he never used the word “practitioner” and did not mention the Ablekuma West MP’s name during the debate on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill during Wednesday’s parliamentary session.
As the debate on the report from the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee ensued, tensions reached a boiling point as members from both sides of the aisle engaged in a heated exchange, prompting a temporary halt in proceedings.
The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako who was presiding over proceedings drew the attention of the House to a commentary by Murtala Mohammed.
‘Blows’ in Parliament as Murtala accuses Ursula of promoting LGBTQ+ activities
Despite not directly speaking into the microphone, the Speaker ordered the NDC MP to withdraw those unsavoury comments against Ursula.
But speaking to Accra-based Joy News, Alhaji Mohammed explained that the statement he made before the altercation was related to every member of parliament taking a clear position on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
“The only statement I made which I think the Speaker is asking me to withdraw was that I said every single member of the parliament should be allowed to debate on the bill and that no one should be allowed to sit on the fence.”
“And that you are either for the bill or against the bill, those who refuse to support the bill, then everybody will know their position.”
“… I never used the word practitioner. In fact, I don’t know the last time I used the word practitioner…perhaps, it is a case of who the cap fits. I never mentioned Ursula’s name, I never said Ursula you are a practitioner,” he insisted.
