Odeneho Afram Brempong III, the Omanhene of the Suma Traditional Council in the Bono Region, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sign the Anti-LGBT+ Bill or face the community’s wrath.
Odeneho Afram Brempong III, expressing his dissatisfaction with the president’s refusal to sign the bill into law, vowed to take serious measures against anyone involved in LGBT+ activities if the bill was not passed.
He stressed that the Suma community is prepared to face the president if required.
On March 25, 2024, Odeneho Afram Brempong III told the media, “We have heard that Parliament has passed the LGBT+ Bill, and the president has stated that he will not even touch the bill, let alone assent to it.”
“If the president does not sign the anti-LGBT+ bill, the Suma community will have to deal with him. Because in 2021, we called on all MPs to praise them for having the forethought to pass legislation prohibiting LGBT+ activities.
“If he signs but does not agree, he may take it to court, and we will also fight it.
“So, for him refusing to sign, he is worrying us and making us scared because of his past comment that it is bound to happen,” he went on to say.
Drawing on ancient sentencing practices, the Omanhene emphasized the community’s willingness to use traditional means against anyone engaging in LGBT+ activities if the president does not give his consent.
“In the past, we had means to penalize anyone who engaged in LGBT+ activities. If there are no rules at the present, we will use ancient procedures; if you are caught, we will whip you first, then ban you from the community,” he continued.
The anti-LGBT+ Bill enacted by Parliament criminalizes LGBT activities, including promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Persons caught in these actions would face a six-month to three-year prison sentence, with promoters and sponsors facing three to five years.
President Akufo-Addo has deferred his decision on whether or not to sign the Bill into law, citing a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.
Even if he chooses against it, MPs can reject the president’s decision with a two-thirds majority, making the Bill’s provisions binding.
