President Akufo-Addo has reassured the diplomatic community that the anti-LGBTQI bill, recently passed by Parliament, will not compromise the country’s strong human rights track record.
The President stated that no such regression in human rights will be considered or allowed.
In a message to the diplomatic community on Monday, March 4, President Akufo-Addo clarified that the bill has not yet reached his desk for approval.
He acknowledged concerns raised by the international community and friends of Ghana but emphasized that no backsliding on human rights principles would occur.
President Akufo-Addo urged patience, mentioning that a concerned citizen has challenged the constitutionality of the proposed legislation at the Supreme Court.
He emphasized the importance of awaiting the court’s decision before taking any action.
“I am aware that last week’s bi-partisan passage by Parliament of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, on a Private Member’s motion, has raised considerable anxieties in certain quarters of the diplomatic community and amongst some friends of Ghana that she may be turning her back on her, hitherto, enviable, longstanding record on human rights observance and attachment to the rule of law. I want to assure you that no such back-sliding will be contemplated or occasioned.
“I think it will serve little purpose to go, at this stage, into the details of the origin of this proposed law, which is yet to reach my desk. But, suffice it to say, that I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation.
“In the circumstances, it would be, as well, for all of us to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken. The operation of the institutions of the Ghanaian state will determine the future trajectory of the rule of law and human rights compliance in our country,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Parliament passed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill on February 28, commonly known as the anti-gay Bill, sparking various reactions, including concerns from the diplomatic community.
The Ministry of Finance, in a brief on March 4, highlighted dire implications of assenting to the bill.