It would not come as a surprise if President Nana Addo refuses to endorse the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill, citing its perceived conflict with our cultural values.
Given the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) leadership style, often accused of being self-centered, there is speculation that the president might leave the bill unsigned, reminiscent of his predecessor, former President John Agyekum Kuffour, who did the same with the Single Spine Structure.
Mahdi Jibril, Deputy Director of Election for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed this opinion during an interview on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
Jibril added that it wouldn’t be surprising if some prominent members of the party decide to challenge the bill in court on the grounds of human rights, especially considering that certain parliamentary members from their party do not support the bill.
In contrast, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, the Board Chair for the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, anticipates that activists opposing the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 (commonly known as the anti-gay Bill), will seek redress in the Supreme Court. She argued that the bill, in its current state, violates human rights.
Expressing her disappointment with Parliament’s approval of the anti-gay Bill, Gadzekpo, a renowned communications expert, stated in an interview that activists may pursue legal action to challenge the legislation.
The controversial bill, which criminalizes and prohibits LGBT activities, including their promotion, advocacy, and funding, was unanimously passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, after three years of deliberation.
If the President assents to the anti-LGBTQ bill, it will impose sanctions on those promoting and engaging in LGBTQ activities, with a prescribed minimum sentence of six months and a maximum of three years for individuals caught in the act of same-sex activities.
Reacting to President Nana Addo’s assurance of ensuring free and fair elections, critics argue that it is merely an empty political promise, expressing distrust in the president. The NDC asserts its preparedness to protect the ballot after the election, vowing to resist any interference from the police and military loyal to the ruling party.
Reflecting on the tragic deaths of five individuals during the 2020 elections, the Ghanaian Police Service reported over 60 incidents on the voting day. Twenty-one of these incidents were confirmed cases of electoral violence, with six involving gunshots resulting in five fatalities.
The speaker questioned the Electoral Commission’s delay in releasing an election calendar, emphasizing the importance of providing political parties with a guide and roadmap to plan ahead for the December polls.
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