Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, has reaffirmed his opposition to jail time for homosexual activity. He clarifies, though, that he supports the anti-gay bill’s basic idea.
On Thursday, February 8, Parliament authorized a three-to-five-year imprisonment term for people who intentionally support or encourage LGBTQ activities. people found in violation would receive a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
In the course of amending the bill clause by clause to support appropriate human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, Mr. Afenyo-Markin declared that the punitive measure would not help the offender get back on track.
During a Tuesday interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated that the nation could not afford to pass legislation that would strengthen the use of jail sentences. The MP for Effutu pointed out that a law like that was severe for a gay act.
The Deputy Majority Leader underscored that “I support aspects of the bill, I oppose aspects of it. I am not against the principle, the object of the bill. In this day and age where the country’s judiciary thinking is towards a non-custodial sentence.”
“We cannot enact a law that seeks to entrench custodial sentences. After all, it is about somebody’s sexuality and we have to be very careful as a country not to be going into emotions when enacting a law.”
“First of all from an empathetic point of view if it is your son, if it is your daughter, if it is your niece, your nephew, an uncle, an aunty. Would you say that go to jail because you have been found guilty of homosexuality?”
