Parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill

Parliament has passed the anti-LGBTQ bill, known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.

The bill passed on Wednesday, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ practices and advocacy, particularly by prescribing a 3 and 5-year jail term respectively. 

During sittings on Wednesday, Majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin restated his position against some aspects of the bill. 

But the sponsors of the bill reintroduced a new amendment to the bill on editorial policies of media houses. The amendment was approved by the House and allowed for third reading. 

“The Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 is read the third time passed,” Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin said. 

The passage of the bill comes despite opposition from human rights institutions and respected academics who've said it has consequences for Ghana's democracy. 

One of such voices has been the Board Chair of CDD Ghana, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, who called on President Akufo-Addo to reject the Bill.

“Human rights are not dependent on majority approval or disapproval, therefore the assertion by the proponents of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill that because the majority of Ghanaians are allegedly in favour of the bill, justifies its passage into laws is untenable. Ghana is a secular and multi-religious country,” she said on Tuesday at a press conference aimed at supporting sexual minorities in Ghana. 

With the bill now passed, it would be sent to President Akufo-Addo in the coming days for assent or otherwise.