Former Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Samia Yaba Nkrumah, daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has called on President Akufo-Addo not to sign the Bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Samia Nkrumah described the bill as overly harsh and unfair. She expressed concern that the legislation could create division, a result she strongly opposes.
“I pray the president does not sign it, or assent to it. I believe it is a brutal, harsh and unjust law, and we don’t need it. We are against rape, paedophilia, against all these situations that people seem to be terrified of gays and I think we need to educate ourselves.
“But most importantly I don’t support anything that brings division and torments the people of Ghana. We are all Ghanaians, and we need to protect and take care of each other,” she said.
The bill, which was passed in Parliament on February 28, 2024, criminalizes LGBTQ activities and prohibits their promotion, advocacy, and funding. Offenders could face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 3 years, while those promoting or sponsoring such activities could be imprisoned for 3 to 5 years.
The bill has been met with criticism from various quarters, including the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Evelyn Palmer, who threatened to sever business relations with Ghana if the bill becomes law.
In response to the bill, Mr. Sky has filed an application with the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that the legislation is null and void. Mr. Sky argues that the bill infringes on several fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and his legal action aims to uphold these rights.
President Akufo-Addo has clarified that the government will not enforce any provisions of the bill until the Supreme Court reaches a verdict on the matter.
In a circular shared by Director of communications at the office of the President, Eugene Arhin, the President said, “l 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.”
President Akufo-Addo clarified that the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill has not yet been presented to him for formal action.
Is better the court gives the interpretation before the President asents