Afenyo-Markin Holds Up Anti-Gay Bill With New Proposals: “Incarceration Is Not The Solution”
- Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has blocked the third reading and passage of the Anti-LGBTQ bill
- MPs will now reconsider 14 clauses, all of which are targeted at substituting community
- Parliament adopted a new motion for the House to re-take the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has ostensibly blocked the third reading and passage of the Anti-LGBTQ bill.
While he says he is not against the bill, Afenyo-Markin opposes the provision that would lead to the imprisonment of individuals accused of engaging in or promoting LGBTQ activities.
Source: Facebook
He argued that jailing a person for their sexuality would not be the solution to maintaining Ghanaian family values and ensuring proper human sexual rights.
Following his push, Parliament adopted a new motion for the House to re-take the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, through the second consideration stage.
PAY ATTENTION: All celebrity news in one place! Follow YEN's Facebook Broadcast channel and read on the go.
MPs will now reconsider 14 clauses, all targeted at substituting community service with incarceration as punishments under the bill.
The motion on one clause was considered and rejected by most MPs.
The House completed the second stage of consideration of the bill last week, and the Speaker referred it to the sponsors of the bill and the legislation draft ahead of its third reading.
Before the amendment, any LGBTQ “allies” faced up to five years in prison.
Now, persons found guilty of promoting LGBTQ activities face a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months in jail.
They could alternatively pay a fine of GH¢600 minimum to GH¢1200.
On July 5, 2023, Ghana's Parliament adopted the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which will criminalise LGBTQ activities in the country.
During the second reading of the private members' bill, none of the legislators on both sides of the aisle opposed it.
The bill has the backing of most religious leaders in the country.
US Ambassador Virginia Palmer speaks against Ghana's anti-gay bill
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported in a separate story that the Ambassador of the US to Ghana has responded to claims that the US promotes LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.
Virginia Palmer says her opposition to the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill stems from her love to see gay children being given safe havens in Ghana.
Her comments follow moves by Parliament to consider and debate the Bill, which is currently before the constitutional committee for deliberations.
New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
Source: YEN.com.gh
