The Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Kwaku Kwarteng has stressed the importance of financial resilience for Ghana amidst the ongoing tension surrounding the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
Expressing his support for the bill, the Obuasi West MP highlighted the need for behavioral change among lawmakers and citizens.
He called on Members of Parliament to lead by example by sacrificing their privileges, such as hefty allowances, and for companies to fulfill their tax obligations diligently. This, he believes, will bolster Ghana’s fiscal resilience.
“I will be happy if the President signs the bill into law, but it must come with behavioural change. MPs must be willing to sacrifice their fat allowances, and companies who default in paying taxes must religiously pay them otherwise, a time will come when we will go broke and despite claiming to be a sovereign country we will accept what we don’t like,” he said.
He emphasized that Ghana’s sovereignty should not only be defined by debates surrounding LGBTQ+ activities but also by the unity of Ghanaians under a common banner to collectively build and strengthen the nation.
“We realise that we are a sovereign country, and we don’t want people to be telling us what we need to do; that is all right. So let us ride on the back of this LGBTQ+ issue and use the emotion and passion, given that we are a sovereign country wanting to protect our culture. We have these people who have been ‘feeding us’ and are now trying to tell us what to do; we won’t even accept their food anymore.”
On Wednesday, February 28, Parliament unanimously passed the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill after completing the third reading. The bill has been a subject of intense debate and discussion since its introduction to the legislature three years ago.
Proponents argue that it is necessary to uphold cultural and religious values, while opponents argue that certain provisions violate human rights and promote discrimination.
Since its passage, many opponents have expressed their displeasure, with some civil society groups threatening legal action should President Akufo-Addo assent to the bill for it to become law.
President Akufo-Addo has withheld his accent as the constitutionality of the bill is being contested at the Supreme Court.