Parliament is expected to debate the report of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, which is commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The bill which was expected to be taken through the second reading stage as per a directive from the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin didn’t see the light of the day due to the absence of the Chairman and Ranking Member on the Committee.
“We had it last week, but we couldn’t make any progress because the chairman and the ranking member had travelled out. We hope that we will make some progress within this week. When the Speaker and the ranking member come, we will put our heads together and locate the bill,” Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained during the presentation of this week’s business statement on Friday, June 30, 2023.
The purpose of the bill is to criminalize LGBTQ+ and related activities, including the promotion, advocacy, or propaganda of such activities. It also aims to provide protection and support for children, as well as individuals who are victims or accused of LGBTQ+ activities.
But speaking to Accra-based Citi News, Ho West MP, Emmanuel Bedzrah, one of the proponents of the bill said the bill will be taken through the second reading stage when the House convenes today, Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
“We have agreed with the Speaker, Alban Bagbin and leaders of the house, that the second reading of the bill will be taken today. It is our expectation that after today the consideration will also follow as well. And so we are very optimistic that we will have the reading, which is long overdue.”
“The committee has agreed by consensus that this bill should be passed. And so there will not be any struggle at all. I would have loved that those who are against it should be bold enough and tell Ghanaians, but you will be surprised that everybody will support this bill today,” he said.
