Ghana’s Parliament has begun the final processes to pass the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 popularly known as the Anti-gay Bill into law.
Eight MPs led by Sam George have proposed the bill that criminalizes the LGBTQ+ community in the country. The bill was introduced on August 2, 2021.
The proposed legislation aims to protect human sexual rights and “Ghanaian family values.” The bill also restricts LGBTQ+ communities and any activities related to them. People advocating the rights of these sexual minorities will also be penalized. Campaigning for LGBTQ+ persons on social media or online platforms is prohibited under the bill.
Members of Parliament are currently deliberating on the second consideration stage of the bill, triggered by some amendments filed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
According to the Effutu MP, the House ought to reconsider its earlier position regarding the imprisonment of individuals based on their sexual orientation under the proposed legislation. Afenyo-Markin urged the House to relook portions of the bill concerning custodial sentencing for those found culpable of engaging in homosexual acts.
“The issue before us is behavioural, and it is my humble view that in dealing with behavioural matters, incarceration is not the solution. It makes the matter worse.”
In addition, Afenyo-Markin revealed that the government is on the brink of introducing a Community Sentencing Bill, which seeks to offer non-custodial sentences as alternatives to imprisonment. He urged the House to embrace this approach by amending the anti-gay bill to incorporate community service options, promoting a more compassionate and effective judicial system.
“I strongly hold the conviction that the integration of community service as an alternative to incarceration will substantially bolster the efficacy and compassion of our judicial system.”
“The essence of this motion is for the august body to thoroughly consider amendments proposed to the bill with a view of substituting community service for incarceration,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
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