The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Penelope Sheila Bartels-Sam has said that the New Patriotic Party caucus in Parliament wants the country to have an anti LGBTQ+ law that stands the test of time.

In a post on Facebook on Monday, the lawmaker said “we want to ensure that in the process of expanding the law to cover LGBTQI+, we create an airtight legislation that can stand the test of time.”

This comes after the Majority side in parliament was criticised on social and mainstream media by various stakeholders for their silence over the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which has been laid before Parliament.

In her post, Madam Bartels-Sam said, “I have not come across one NPP MP who wants LGBTQI+ legalised. I have heard some MPs suggest that the bill in its current state, will trample on the fundamental human rights of people as enshrined in the constitution."

She stated that this is "not a one-day matter" but requires lots of discussions, dialogue, research and effort.

In August, eight parliamentarians jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalisation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) and their related 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 the bill be passed into law, it will be in violation of the fundamental human rights of individuals who identify with the group.

The bill is currently with the Parliamentary Committee that has since called on citizens to submit memoranda stating their positions on the bill.