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Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has responded to concerns that the majority caucus in Parliament does not support the anti-LGBTQ + bill currently before the House.
The deputy for Nsawam-Adoagyiri noted that his camp supported the bill which aims to criminalize homosexuality on principle, stressing, however, that certain aspects of it are flawed and must be corrected.
According to him, democratic principles and the freedoms of the people should not be restricted by the bill.
His comment comes after the deputy secretary general of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahene, expressed concern over the silence of the majority of NPP MPs on the bill.
According to him, with the exception of NPP MP John Ntim Fordjour, all other names mentioned when the question arises are those of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP.
Mr Boahene has described the practice of gays and lesbians as embarrassing, insulting and nauseating and wants the majority of NPP MPs to make their voices heard.
The anti-gay bill is sponsored by NDC MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George and other NDC MPs with only Rev. Ntim Fordjour listed as a co-sponsor.
But the chief majority whip said the discussion on the issue should transcend political lines.
“It is unfortunate that the LGBTQ bill is politicized. As the majority caucus in Parliament, we agree in principle that legislation which protects Ghanaian values in all walks of life must be supported. However, the bill, as it stands, is flawed, ”he tweeted on Saturday.
He added: “We need to refine it to ensure that it maximizes the protection of rights and freedoms in accordance with democratic principles, as we have practiced continuously for more than three decades.
The bill is currently before the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of Parliament, receiving memoranda from the general public.
The Pentecostal Church in its memoranda to the committee sent its strongest warning to the government regarding legislation against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and homosexuals and their related (LGBTQ +) activities in Ghana.
The Church’s national president, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, said his group will vote against any political party that opposes the passage of the bill on the promotion of human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.
Meanwhile, a group of academics and lawyers including Akoto Ampaw, Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo have also expressed concerns about the bill, claiming it will damage the image of the Ghana as a stronghold of democracy due to clauses in the bill that restrict individual rights. and freedoms.
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