Audio By Carbonatix
Samuel Nartey George, a lead sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to the Bill following its passage by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28.
“We want the President to walk his talk by appending his signature to the bill to enable it to come into force,” he said.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps after the passage of the Bill, the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, said there was considerable support among MPs for the passage of the Bill.
He, therefore, expressed appreciation to colleague MPs, and particularly Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a former Majority Leader, for their commitment to ensuring the bill was passed.
"We want to thank Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who played a pivotal role in passing this bill," the MP told the media.
Mr George also underscored the unity among MPs in the House during the whole process, adding: "The overwhelming majority from both sides of the aisle have endorsed this bill."
He pledged the collaboration of members of Parliament with the media to ensure extensive public education on the bill.
The objective of the Bill is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian Family Values, which proscribes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and related activities.
The Bill currently proscribes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activities and criminalises their promotion, advocacy and funding.
Persons caught in these acts would be subjected to six months to three-year jail term with promoters and sponsors of these acts bearing a three to five-year jail term.
The Bill would now require presidential assent to come into force.
In May 2023, Uganda signed one of the world’s toughest anti-LGBT laws, including the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality."
Activists said it unleashed a wave of abuse and the World Bank suspended new funding to the country.
The United Nations said in 2021 that the proposed law would create "a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence" against sexual minorities.
Latest Stories
-
Fire ravages parts of Kpone Market, eleven structures destroyed
14 seconds -
Sex is biological, not identity-based – Education Minister
2 minutes -
Court grants Ebo Noah GH¢100,000 bail with 2 sureties, case adjourned to March 18
8 minutes -
Gov’t sets up 12-member Presidential advisory group to guide economic policy
9 minutes -
Self-Praise won’t help GoldBod, katanomic modelling might
14 minutes -
Vehicle scarcity leaves commuters stranded at Lapaz Tema station
17 minutes -
Sustained International Efforts: Sudan’s war intensifies at the expense of lives
17 minutes -
Women are naturally attracted to power and influence – Dr Vanessa Apea
19 minutes -
Former Suame MCE blames Naa Torshie for NPP’s 2024 election loss over DACF mismanagement
29 minutes -
Ghana orders four helicopters for defence and transport operations – Airbus
31 minutes -
GPRTU disassociates itself from illegal transport fares
45 minutes -
Concerned Drivers demand removal of Transport Minister over worsening Accra transport crisis
54 minutes -
Only 80 of 245 Ayalolo buses are currently in operation – GAPTE acting MD
1 hour -
GOIL PLC posts impressive share price gains on GSE in 2025
1 hour -
US not “heaven”; Ghana must be built to keep its people home – Solomon Owusu
2 hours
