The ratification of the anti-gay bill, also known as the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values,” has been delayed by Parliament until Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
This vote complies with the most recent standing orders of the House, which require a minimum of one sitting day to pass a bill before it is read a third time.
Following the bill’s second review, which sought to criminalize LGBT advocacy, funding, and promotion, this development takes place.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the majority leader in parliament, has withdrawn his suggested changes to the bill that would have promoted appropriate human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.
This comes after the House rejected two proposals that called for community service to be used instead of jail time for those found guilty of LGBT-related offenses.
Additionally, Mr. Afenyo-Markin retracted his new amendment calling for post-conviction mandatory counseling on human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.
Since the moment it was first presented in Parliament, the anti-gay bill has generated controversy. Human rights organizations have stated that the bill would infringe on Ghanaian LGBT people’s rights.
Parliament approved a three-to-five-year jail term on Thursday, February 8, for those who knowingly sponsor or promote LGBTQ+ activities.
Those caught in the act could face a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years in prison.
During the bill’s amendment process to promote human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that punitive measures would not aid in offenders’ rehabilitation.
He expressed concern about the state of the country’s prisons and their inability to provide adequate rehabilitation for offenders.
The Effutu lawmaker proposed replacing a minimum two-month prison sentence with a minimum of one month of community service for those found guilty of LGBTQ+ activities.
