The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has withdrawn his proposed amendments to the bill on the promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.
The lawmaker also withdrew his new amendment which was seeking mandatory counselling on human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values as a post-conviction sentence.
The House had approved a three-to-five-year jail term for individuals who intentionally promoted or sponsored LGBTQ+ activities.
Persons caught in the act could face a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years in prison.
However Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that punitive measures would not contribute to the rehabilitation of the offenders.
The bill which promotes human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values was ‘arrested last week’ by the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin, was about to allow for the procedural motion on the third reading of the bill to be moved and seconded.
But the Deputy Majority Leader Mr. Afenyo-Markin intervened.
He moved that “the bill passes through a second Consideration in respect of Clause 4.”
Clause 4 proposes a minimum custodial sentence of six months and a maximum of three years for people who find themselves in the activity LGBTQ+, but he wants the House to proffer community service over a jail term.
Quoting Order 171(1) of the Standing Orders, Afenyo-Markin maintained that the punitive action prescribed was injurious to the reformation of LGBTQ+ practitioners.
“The issue before us is behavioural, and it is my humble view that in dealing with behavioural matters, incarceration is not the solution.”
He said “To jail a person for his/her sexuality will not be the solution in maintaining our Ghanaian family values and ensuring proper human sexual rights.”
The House was therefore compelled to continue with the amendment of about thirteen of the clauses in the bill today [Wednesday, February 21].
But he has since withdrawn his opposed amendments.
He withdrew his proposed amendments after the House voted against two of the proposals which demanded a replacement of imprisonment with community service for persons found culpable of LGBT activities.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
