Lead sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2021, Samuel Nartey George, has alleged that, one Prof. Takyiwaa Manu, who is part of a group kicking against the passage of the bill in its current state, says President Akufo-Addo is the one urging them to fight the draft law in court.
The Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament during an interview on Onua FM’s Yen Nsempa Wednesday, February 28, 2024, said he is in possession of a story where the Professor says President Akufo-Addo is the one who has given them the power to protest against the bill.
According to the MP, the Professor says President Akufo-Addo has told them he doesn’t like the bill so they should contest it in court when it is passed.
He told Nana Yaa Brefo and JB prior to the passage of the bill by Parliament Wednesday.
“Professor Takyiwaa Manu says President Akufo-Addo asked them to go to court to fight our bill. Professor Takyiwaa Manu, I’m mentioning her name. I have the story. She says the President says he doesn’t like our bill so he has given them power and is pushing them to go to court to fight our bill,” he alleged.
The human rights coalition, comprising of CDD Ghana, “the big 18” and others have called on President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to assent to the bill when passed by Parliament in its current state.
Board Chair of the CDD, Audrey Gadzekpo, addressing the media in Accra Tuesday, February 27, 2024, noted that the Bill, when passed, will infringe on the fundamental human rights of many, including the media, as enshrined by the 1992 Constitution.
Professor Gadzekpo said “we observed that proposals to amend the Bill to substitute community services for incarceration that was made by the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Mr. Afenyo-Markin, was unfortunately rejected. Although his amendments were opposed by the majority of the house leading to a removal of the proposed amendments, we appreciate his effort aimed at reforming our justice system.”
On Wednesday February 21, the then Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin withdrew his amendments to the anti-LGBTIQ+ bill which seeks to impose a prison sentence paving way for the Bill to be considered for passage in the coming days.
However, the coalition of civil society organizations and interest groups maintained, the Bill must be relooked at.
“Ghana is a secular and multi-religious country with over 50 ethnic groups with different cultural practices and beliefs. Any attempt to create a single cultural value system for Ghana erases the beautiful cultural mosaic that makes us a unique people.” Professor Gadzekpo posited.
She further explained that “it is for this reason that the constitution abolishes all practices and laws detrimental to people’s health and well-being, even in the name of culture and tradition.”
The coalition noted that, the Bill will undermine journalists’ ability to speak freely. The Bill in its current form states, “any person that uses the media to broadcast and slash or advocate on LGBTQ+ topic faces a prison sentence of up to three years.”
The group believe that “this places a heavy restriction on journalists, bloggers, influencers and various social media users who produce or publish content, especially those who work in the field of human rights.”
They want the President to block the bill when passed by Parliament. They believe the bill in its state will negatively affect the democratic gains of the country.
“As a result of this, we urge the President not to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2021,” the professor concluded.
