By:Yesmeen Abubakar Tetteh
Parliament has approved a minimum custodial sentence of three years and a maximum of five years for individuals found to be willfully promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBTQ+ activities. Additionally, those caught engaging in such activities will face a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum of three years.
During parliamentary proceedings on the clause-by-clause amendment of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, the MP for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, clarified the rationale behind the punitive measures.
He emphasized that public concern primarily revolves around the advocacy and promotion of such activities rather than individuals’ private behaviour.
“For individuals caught engaging in these activities themselves, the punishment ranges from a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years. However, for those actively promoting, sponsoring, or supporting such agendas, the penalty increases to a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years,” he said.
Eight MPs led by Sam George have proposed the bill that criminalizes the LGBTQ+ community in the country. The bill was introduced on August 2.
The proposed legislation aims to provide for proper human sexual rights and “Ghanaian family values.” The bill also restricts LGBTQ+ communities and any activities related to them. People advocating the rights of these sexual minorities will also be penalized. Campaigning for LGBTQ+ persons on social media or online platforms is prohibited under the bill.
