The Speaker of Parliament has announced that the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs’ debate on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, will be made public.
Alban Bagbin speaking in the House, which reconvened after a three-month break, on Tuesday, said that this move will aid in having an honest conversation on the bill devoid of political and religious sentiments.
Mr Bagbin stated that although it is important to have different opinions and views shape the Bill, people need to accommodate the views of others.
“So please let’s allow whether religious bodies civil society, academia or whatever to participate in the deliberations of this house. I know Ghanaians are expectant, and I know we have over 100 petitions before the legal affairs committee.”
“The sitting of the committee will be public, and the decision of this House will be public, we will want to know where each member of parliament stands,” the Speaker added.
In August, eight parliamentarians jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
The proponents also want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality to be forbidden in the country.
Since the controversial bill was made public, opposers have argued that should it be passed into law, it will violate the fundamental human rights of individuals who identify with the group.
Many groups, including religious bodies, lawyers, and educators, have all submitted petitions to support or oppose the bill.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament says the House will not tolerate any attempt to delay the process in getting the bill confirmed or otherwise, especially since “the whole world is looking for the outcome.”
Mr Bagbin added that he is convinced the law that will be birthed from the debate will be one that will evenly protect the people, culture and values of the country.
“It is a law that will take into consideration the human rights and freedom that have been guaranteed under our constitution and it is a law that will take into consideration the richness of common sense, human decency morality fact and logic. At the end of the day it is the law that will bring and transform this country into something else,” he added.
Latest Stories
-
Have capacity to influence policy – former MiDA boss to engineers
9 mins -
Silva to leave Chelsea at end of season
12 mins -
Ghana’s Online Freedom of Expression in peril, citizens’ rights eroded – Londa Report
16 mins -
CAF Confed Cup: Karim Zito blames semi-final exit on lack of experience
21 mins -
CAFCC: Dreams FC didn’t lose because of stage fright – Karim Zito
28 mins -
ECG threatens to disconnect Ashanti Regional Minister’s residence if found to be in debt
39 mins -
Gladys Bosco sings about hope in ‘Me Ewurade Bra’
47 mins -
Accra High Court refuses requests to compel Akufo-Addo to receive anti-LGBTQ+ bill
58 mins -
I almost took my life – Fella Makafui
1 hour -
The emergence of the future: Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang
1 hour -
Knowing when to mute the mic: Kwasi Kwarteng’s choking example on ‘Blue and White’
1 hour -
R. Kelly’s sex abuse conviction in Chicago upheld in appeals court
2 hours -
Azumah Nelson returns to the ring to face EU Ambassador in a match to empower youth
2 hours -
UEFA U-16 Tournament: Black Starlets come from behind to beat Kazakhstan 5-1 in final game
2 hours -
Every worker in Ghana must be concerned about ILO’s report on SSNIT – GNAT President
2 hours