The Parliament of Ghana has today, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, passed the Ghanaian Family Values and Proper Human Sexual Rights Bill 2021, also referred to as the anti-LGBTQI Bill.
The Bill, which has drawn a lot of attention both domestically and abroad, aims to restrict the recognition and advancement of any rights held by LGBTQI+ people or groups.
Promoters and sponsors of the act face sentences ranging from three to five years in prison, while those caught in the act might face a sentence of six months to three years in prison.
The majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, removed a number of his suggested changes to the measure on February 21.
But on Wednesday, during the bill’s deliberation stage on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin reiterated his position, saying that he disagreed with some parts of the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill and that the nation shouldn’t pass laws that forbid people or organizations from standing up for weaker members of society.
He later withdrew the proposal.
This follows his inability to get the House’s backing for approval.
The primary sponsor, Samuel Nartey George, suggested that the 1992 constitution’s article 12—which guarantees media freedom—be applied to articles 10 and 11 of the anti-LGBTQ bill, which deal with the editorial practices of media companies.
The House gave its approval to the amendments as part of the measure.
It is anticipated that the measure would be sent to President Akufo-Addo in the meantime so he can sign it.
