Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful says it is the responsibility of parliamentarians to promulgate a law that protects the fundamental human rights of all Ghanaians.

Speaking during Parliament’s debate on the anti-LGBTGI+ Wednesday, she said the Constitution of Ghana seeks to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens and therefore, if there is going to be any bill passed, then the bill should not conflict with what the constitution says.

“It is incumbent on us as Members of Parliament to craft a piece of legislation that protects the fundamental human rights of all Ghanaians regardless of whatever beliefs they may have.”

“It is incumbent on us as Members of Parliament to craft a piece of legislation that is not in conflict with our constitution or existing legislation,” she said.

The Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West therefore commended the committee for amending some parts of the bill for more clarity and ultimately respecting the feelings of the majority of Ghanaians.

“And so I commend the committee for the extensive work that they have done to clean up the bill that was presented to us and to come up with the amendment they have proposed.”

“If the sponsors of the bill will bear us out, we took active interest in the work at the committee stage because of our interest in crafting a piece of legislation which respects the constitution and the laws of Ghana.”

“I’m glad that ultimately, the document that has been presented largely states the position of the majority of Ghanaians on this matter and captures the feelings of our citizens as at now,” she said.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful added that she is not interested in what sexual activity anybody indulges in, in the privacy of their own home, be it homosexual or heterosexual.

This comes after Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, recommended its passage of the controversial anti-LGBTQI+bill.

Other legislators including Bernard Ahiafor, Nelson Rockson Dafeamekpor, Sam George, Murtala Mohammed and John Ntim Foruor argued in favour of the bill.

The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin called on MPs opposed to the bill to stand up and be counted, but his call went without a response, showing unanimous consent by Members of Parliament strongly advocating for the passage of the bill.

With the bill through on its second reading, the consideration stage will follow before a third reading to signal passage.