A group of 18 prominent Ghanaian citizens has rejected a proposed anti-gay bill in Parliament, saying it constitutes an “impermissible invasion of the inviolability and human dignity” of the LGBTQI community.
The first reading of the LGBTQI Bill took place on 2 August 2021 in Parliament, and its consideration is expected to resume in October 2021.
It was initiated by some six MPs led by an opposition MP, Sam George, seeking to criminalise lesbianism and sex between men in Ghana.
The group led by renowned legal practitioner, Akoto Ampaw, said the anti-LGBTQI Bill “violates all the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the 1992 constitution”, adding when passed into law it would send Ghana to the dark ages of lawlessness.
Violation of human rights
“The bill violates virtually all the key fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the constitution, namely the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to assemble, freedom of association and the right to organise, the right to freedom from discrimination and the right to human dignity,” Ampaw said at a press conference on Monday (4 October).
Other members of the group are Professor Emerita Takyiwaaa Manuh, the communications specialist Professor Kwame Karikari, Professor Kofi Gyimah-Boadi, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo of the Department of Communication Studies and dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, Dr Yao Graham, Professor Dzodzi Tsikata of the Institute of African Studies and Professor H Kwasi Prempeh of Centre of Democratic Development (CDD).
Others are the former secretary general of the Trades Union Congress Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Dr Kojo Asante, Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, Akunu Dake, Tetteh Hormeku-Ajie, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey, Dr Joseph Asunka and Nana Ama Agyemang Asante.
Below is the full statement:
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