The Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has finally presented its Report on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, to Parliament.
The Report was presented by Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, on Thursday March 30.
The Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in July 2021 and underwent its First Reading on Monday 2nd August, 2021 seeks to criminalise the promotion and funding of LGBTQ+ activities as well as public displays of affection, cross-dressing and more, while campaigning for LGBTQ+ persons on social media or online platforms is also prohibited under the Bill.
Proponents of the Bill want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality to be criminalized in the country saying it is a world-class piece of legislation that should be a reference material for other Parliaments seeking to pass similar legislation.
Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban S.K. Bagbin on Tuesday 28th March, 2023 had cause to lament delays in presenting the Report to the House following the Committee’s Public Sittings to solicit views of the Ghanaian public on the new law.
This came after US Vice President Kamala Harris, during an interaction at the Jubilee House on Monday, restated her stance on human right violation against minorities, adding that her position remains unchanged.
“I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting freedom and supporting the fighting for equality among all people and that all people be treated equally. I will also say that this is an issue that we consider, and I consider to be a human rights issue, and that will not change,” she said.
The Speaker slammed the US Vice President and described her comments on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill as undemocratic.
The Speaker did not also take the remarks of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the matter lightly and stressed that while the Bill is in Parliament the President has no role to play at all, insisting he cannot control Parliament on the Bill.
He said, “There’s no way he can intervene. That answer he gave, wait until we pass it, and we will direct you to execute it; that is where you come in. In terms of the law, which is part of the policy, we will finalise it; then, the executive has the authority to implement it. Let’s get this clear, while this Bill is before us, he is not in charge; I am in charge,” he stressed.
Speaker Bagbin expressed excitement that Pope Francis recently directed Reverend Fathers not to preside over gay or lesbian marriage and stressed the House needs the report.
On his part, Reverend Dr Lawrence Tetteh of the World Miracle Outreach raised concern about President Akufo-Addo’s cold feet on the LGBTQ when he met the US Vice President.
According to him, not long ago, the President declared ‘LGBT will not happen under his watch’ but failed to make the same pronouncement to Kamala Harris and instead chose to be politically correct.
He urged the Speaker not to behave like President Akufo-Addo and change his words on the anti-gay Bill when it matters most and when he gets the chance to speak for the nation.
“Our prayer for you today is not just about your health; it is that you do not change your words when we most need you. When you get the chance to make a statement on behalf of our nation, you will not seek to impress anybody by being politically right,” he stated
“We are sad, and I think it is about time Ghanaians make a clear distinction statement that never again would we be taken for granted. From now on, we will be voting on values, and anybody who does not believe in the Ghanaian sentiments and values will not be allowed,” he added.
