Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill following its passage on Wednesday, February 28.
Mr George, who is also a lead sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, wants “the president to walk his talk by appending his signature to the bill to enable it to come into force.”
The legislator, addressing the media after the passage of the Bill, said there was considerable support among MPs for the passage of the Bill.
Mr. George 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 said.
He 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.”
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.
However, the United States is warning of dire implications for the Ghanaian economy after Parliament passed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.
The Spokesperson for the US Department of State noted that the US is deeply troubled by the passage of the law.
In a press release, Matthew Miller explained that the framework would threaten all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
He added that the bill seeks to criminalise any person who simply identifies as LGBTQI+, as well as any friend, family, or member of the community who does not report them.
“The bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy. International business coalitions have already stated that such discrimination in Ghana would harm business and economic growth in the country,” the statement added.