Leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko says Ghana should brace itself to face the consequences of its decision to pass a law proscribing LGBTQI+ activities.
In a post on social media, Gabby, who is a relative to president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said although the bill enjoys popular support, the decision to pass it comes with consequences and the citizenry must psyche themselves to bear same.
“Ghana’s parliament, in which is vested the sovereign will of the people, has democratically passed a harsher anti-LGBTQ Bill. Yes, democratically! In fact the threat of being unseated for standing for the rights of gays, etc, certainly created its own culture of silence in the House!
But, it is the decision of Parliament and one which enjoys huge popular support in the country. The world must understand that. But, Ghanaians must also understand that it comes with consequences,” he stated.
“Choices have consequences. We expect the media and the politicians to be fair to the people by letting them know the pros and cons of this decision to impose stiffer penalties against gays, etc. We also expect those who believe the bill is constitutionally wrong to do what is right and go to court. That is democracy! Our institutions of democracy are still strong and alive”.
The parliament of Ghana, on February 28, 2024, passed the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill that seeks to proscribe LGBTQ+ activities.
The bill was passed after Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin withdrew a motion he had filed seeking non-custodial sentence for offenders of the law.
Afenyo Markin had raised concerns about the imposition of up 6 years jail term against offenders and thus, filed the motion for the House to reconsider the said provisions.
It, however, did not garner any support from other members, forcing him to withdraw it.
But Gabby believes many MPs were cajoled to support the bill for fear of losing their seats.
He said although Ghana is a sovereign state with cultural norms that cannot be wished away, “I still believe, though, that we can balance our traditional family values with our traditional values of tolerance and diversity. That’s the Ghanaian way. The Ghanaian culture. The Ghanaian spirit. Our history”.
