All 275 MPs support the passing of the anti-LGBTQ Bill

All 275 MPs support the passing of the anti-LGBTQ Bill

The passing of the anti-LGBTQ Bill presently before the House has received unanimous support from all 275 Members of Parliament.

Since its debut in 2021, politicians and stakeholders have spent months debating and ratifying the 36-page agreement.

The contentious measure has already been subjected to a number of judicial challenges, the most recent of which was announced on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

However, in allowing the bill’s laying and following discussion prior to consideration, Speaker Alban Bagbin stated that it is apparent that no lawmaker is opposed to the passing of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022.

“With the submissions just made by the Honorable Andy Appiah Kubi that all the 275 are in support of the bill, anybody who disagrees be on your feet and I will recognize you.

“Honorable members, since all members are in support of the bill, I am definitely not going to gag the House. I will give you the opportunity to expand and improve further the submissions made so that at the consideration stage, it will be enriched by your contributions.”

“But I just want us to be clear that none is against the bill,” he stressed.

Speaker Alban Bagbin added that “In view of the numbers, I am tempted to give some time limits for the debates so that we can give opportunity to everybody to make a contribution. At the end of the day, your report is already in the public domain.”

In the meanwhile, Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee has recommended that the House enact the contentious Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021.

The majority of Ghanaians, according to the Committee, support the law.

While recognising that the measure raised “significant human rights concerns,” the Committee informed the House that it had requested an opinion from the Attorney-General.

The 18-page paper, signed by the Committee’s Chairperson, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, has been submitted to the Committee’s revisions.

Mr Anyimadu-Antwi stated that the decision was made after consulting with the Attorney General.

Background

The contentious LGBT law was introduced as a private member’s bill to Speaker Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. It is being led by eight MPs.

Proponents want gay promotion, advocacy, financing, and activities to be criminalised in the country.

Despite the fact that the Bill is in Parliament, the LGBTQ+ debate was revived during US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Ghana.

In her presentation to the gathering, Madam Harris stated, “I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting freedom and fighting for equality among all people, and that all people be treated equally.”

“I will also say that this is an issue that we consider, and I consider to be a human rights issue, and that will not change.”

Despite the fact that she did not address the issue directly in Ghana’s Parliament, several Ghanaians took offence and replied to her.

Among others who replied to her was Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, who called her remarks “undemocratic” and said they “should not be tolerated.”