Anti-LGBTQ+ bill amendment to be completed on Friday – Majority Leader

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, is optimistic that the process of amending the anti-LGBTQ+ bill clause by clause will be finished by the end of Friday, February 9. The House is scheduled to resume consideration of the bill today following a recess on Tuesday, February 6.

The proposed legislation, formally known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, has sparked considerable controversy both domestically and internationally. The bill seeks to outlaw same-sex sexual relationships, including oral and anal sex, with penalties ranging from five to 10 years in prison. It also aims to criminalize advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, the promotion of same-sex marriage or cohabitation, and the provision of support services to LGBTQ+ individuals.

Furthermore, the bill proposes punishment for individuals or organizations involved in organizing or participating in LGBTQ+ events, providing resources to support LGBTQ+ people, or producing or distributing materials that promote LGBTQ+ rights. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, speaking in Parliament, indicated that the bill is expected to undergo thorough revisions by Friday, February 9. “The Business Committee on February 5 scheduled the first consideration of the bill to start on February 7, and we anticipate that we will be able to bring it to a close by Friday [February 9].”

Additionally, a survey conducted by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) found that a majority of Ghanaians support the bill.