A prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere-Darko, has called on individuals opposed to Ghana’s recently passed anti-LGBTQ bill to challenge its constitutionality in court.
Mr Otchere-Darko emphasized that it is their democratic right to seek legal redress.
“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. Let’s have faith in our democracy. Let’s respect the choices we make and their consequences and believe in the process,” he wrote.
This comes after the Board Chair for the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, says activists who are against the passing of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, popularly known as the anti-gay Bill, will go to the Supreme Court to get redress since the Bill in its current state violates human rights.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Mr Otchere-Darko highlighted that Ghana’s parliament, representing the sovereign will of the people, had democratically passed the bill.
He acknowledged the presence of a “culture of silence” in parliament, suggesting that lawmakers may have been reluctant to oppose the bill due to potential consequences.
Despite the bill’s popular support in Ghana, Otchere-Darko emphasized the importance of understanding its implications. He called on the media and politicians to inform the public about the pros and cons of the bill, stressing the need for balanced reporting.
He expressed confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions and urged Ghanaians to respect the choices made by parliament, while also advocating for a balance between traditional family values and tolerance for diversity.
In conclusion, Otchere-Darko reiterated his belief in Ghana’s ability to uphold its traditional values while embracing tolerance and diversity, highlighting these as fundamental aspects of Ghanaian culture and spirit.
“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. Our DNA. That is Ghanaian,” he wrote.
Prior to this, he noted that the activities of the LGBTQ community pose no threat to Ghana’s family values in comparison to the activities of mistresses and paramours of married men and women, also known as side chicks and side dudes.
According to him, “the biggest threat to family values in our society is caused by side chicks and side dudes” as they break homes.