The Eight members of Ghana’s Parliament who have jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalization of LGBTQI+ activities in the country have asked opponents to stop the importation of extraneous matters to pollute the bill.
Some persons have called for the criminalization of adultery along with the LGBTQI activities.
But appearing before the Committee handling the bill at its public hearing on Monday, November 29, 2021, the MPs made a strong case that persona who want adultery criminalized should also sponsor their bill
The MPs were represented by lead sponsor Sam George, the MP for Ningo-Prampram and Nelson Defeamekpor, the MP for South Dayi.
The South Dayi MP argued that the bill is not meant to criminalize adultery and no one should pollute the minds of Ghanaians by making such proposals.
He forcefully said, don’t pollute this bill with adultery adding, the bill is clear and wants to criminalize all forms of LGBTQI activities, not adultery.
He noted that although the law allows for the freedom to form clubs, the law does not allow for the formation of criminal clubs and LGBTQI activities are part of it.
Sam George on his part indicated that the bill has a focus and an object and the focus is LGBTQI activities.
In his view, the bill if passed would help the National Development Planning Conmission to plan for the nation.
He said the LGBTQI activities are a threat to the health and values of Ghanaians.
The bill, which they term as a ‘Bill on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values’, was presented to Speaker, Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
The proponents of the bill want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality to be criminalized in the country.
It is currently being considered by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.
The committee after receiving over 150 memos have started a public hearing for the persons and groups who submitted their memos to appear before them and argue their case.
The other members of parliament that joined in presenting the bill include, Emmanuel Bedzrah (MP, Ho West) Della Adjoa Sowah (MP, Kpando), John Ntim Fordjour (MP, Assin South), Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini (MP, Tamale North), Helen Adjoa Ntoso (MP, Krachi West), and Rita Naa Odoley Sowah.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
