[ 2021-03-06 ]

Six MPs to sponsor Private Members Bill against LGBTQI

By Christopher Arko

Accra, March 6, Six Members of Parliament have
served notice to sponsor a bi-partisan Private
Members Bill to proscribe and criminalise the
advocacy and practice of homosexuality.

They said the Bill would seek to further
strengthen Ghana’s legal jurisprudence and
existing legislation on unnatural carnal knowledge
to reflect the current state of affairs.

“It is our belief that all members of this House
would support this Bill when it comes before the
House,” Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Member of
Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, leader of the
six MPs proposing the Bill, said in a statement on
the floor of the House.

The members are Mr Andy Appiah Kubi, MP for Asante
Akim North, Mr Emmanuel Bedzrah, MP for Ho West,
and Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin
South.

The rest are Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for
North Tongu, Mr Kweku Asante Boateng, MP for
Asante Akim South, Mrs Helen Adwoa Ntoso, MP for
Krachi West and Ms Francisca Oteng, MP for Kwabre
East.

The statement was on the opening of an advocacy
office for a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI ) rights in Ghana and
the need for a strong national response.

Mr George said he was completely taken aback by
news of the opening of the LGBTQI office in Accra
on January 31, 2021.

He said in attendance at the event were some
delegates from the European Union (EU), the
Australian High Commissioner, Mr Gregory Andrews,
and the Danish Ambassador, Mr Tom Norring among
others.

He described the presence of the foreign diplomats
at the event as “shocking and brazen disregard
for the position of Ghana’s laws on
homosexuality,” saying the EU on its official
Facebook handle advertised its participation in
the event and reiterated its support for all civil
society organisations supporting LGBTQI groups.

Mr George called on the Executive, through the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to call to order all
diplomats whose actions constituted an affront to
the laws and sovereignty of Ghana.

“We also hope to see action from the Executive
through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling to
order all diplomats whose actions constitute an
affront to our laws and sovereignty,” he said.

The group also called on Speaker Alban Bagbin, as
the Head of the Legislature, to make a firm
statement on the LGBTQI activities, which had
become a raging national discourse.

“We have no doubt that the enormous respect you
command, not just within Ghana but across the
world, based on your many years of meritorious
service to humanity, would add great impetus to
the fight to preserve that, which is right, just
and holy. The future of Ghana, as we know it, and
the sanctity of marriage depends on us,” Mr
George said.

“May posterity remember us kindly for our stand
in defense of what is virtuous.”

Source - GNA

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