A gender activist and research fellow at the Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy, and Documentation (CEGRAD), Dr. Amanda Odoi, has cautioned that the enactment of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill, could intensify brain drain in the country.
The bill, which outlaws LGBTQ activities, along with their promotion, advocacy, and funding, received parliamentary approval on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Citi FM and Citi TV, Dr. Odoi expressed her concerns, stating that the bill’s passage exposes individuals to potential attacks, leading to skilled labor leaving Ghana due to a perceived lack of safety.
Dr. Odoi highlighted that since discussions surrounding the bill intensified, individuals have faced attacks for displaying even the slightest femininity.
“One reason why we make the argument of the bill having a potential of worsening brain drain is the fact that it sets people up for attacks and no one will want to live in an environment that is hostile.”
“The argument being made is that there are provisions in the bill to protect people from being harassed and abused but we are also aware that since discussions on the subject heightened, we have seen numerous attacks, even on suspected persons.
“Right now, if you are on social media and you see people that are doing skits or exhibit any signs of femininity, they are attacked and so people that feel unsafe will leave and there is enough evidence from other countries to show that in such instances, people migrated,” Dr Odoi told Selorm Adonoo.