TEMA, Ghana, 6th June: The Parliament of Ghana has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, after bypassing some of the standard waiting periods required in the legislative process.
The move has generated public debate, with concerns raised over procedural issues surrounding its passage.
The legislation now awaits presidential assent from President John Mahama before it can become law.
Reacting to the development on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, June 6, Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, said he did not see any urgency in the passage of the bill.
According to him, Ghanaian society has long rejected same-sex relationships, making the rush to pass the legislation unnecessary.
“God, the Creator Himself, knows that Ghana abhors such conduct. The practice has never been approved by the State, and therefore there is no urgency in rushing the bill through Parliament,” he stated.
Mr. Koomson further noted that same-sex relationships are considered taboo within Ghanaian culture and are not accepted by the country’s major religious groups, including Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional African religions.
Parliament officially passed the amended version of the bill, which criminalises identifying as LGBTQ+ and imposes prison sentences ranging from three to five years for individuals found guilty of promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBTQ+ activities.
The revised legislation, however, provides exemptions for legal practitioners, media professionals, and healthcare workers, shielding them from criminal liability when carrying out their professional duties in relation to LGBTQ+ individuals.
President John Mahama has indicated his willingness to support the bill but has expressed concerns about procedural lapses during its passage. He has stated that the legislation will undergo further review before he decides whether to grant presidential assent.
Mr. Koomson argued that the delay in finalising the bill is necessary to ensure that the constitutional rights of all citizens are protected under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
He stressed that due process must be followed, noting that even individuals accused of serious crimes are entitled to legal protections.
“After all, even murder suspects are entitled to defend themselves under the Constitution. Therefore, Parliament must take its time to ensure that no one’s fundamental human rights are violated in the process,” he said.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭