At a parliamentary debate on July 5, 2023, member of parliament for Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor, expressed his belief that countries practicing LGBTQ+ will cease to exist within the next five decades.
Ahiafor justified his prediction by referring to the concept that when humans were created, they were instructed to procreate and populate the Earth. Therefore, in his view, countries that deviate from this natural order will eventually perish.
It’s important to note that these statements were made in the context of a debate in support of the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
“Countries practicing LGBTQ+ activity, I give them 50 years by prophesy they will be extinct on earth. Most of those countries will no longer exist on earth, very soon they may even have to be taking labour force from countries not practicing LGBTQ+ activity and that is not the way we are to go,” he said.
Emphasizing Ghana’s divergence from the global trend, Bernard Ahiafor underscored his endorsement of the bill, stating that Ghana aimed to follow a different path.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the legislation, highlighting that the Promotion of Proper Human Rights and Family Values Act did not contravene any provision of Ghana’s 1992 constitution.
“Mr Speaker look at the constitution, from article 12 is dedicated to fundamental human rights and you go through it, the bill if passed to law will never violate any provisions in our constitution,” he said.
Background
The controversial LGBT bill is a private member’s bill that was presented to Speaker Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. It is being spearheaded by eight MPs.
The proponents want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality to be criminalised in the country.
Although the Bill is in Parliament, the LGBTQ+ conversation was reignited during US Vice President, Kamala Harris’ visit to Ghana.