Parliament is set to resume consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill today, following its return from recess on Tuesday, February 6.
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has expressed confidence in the completion of the clause-by-clause amendment process of the bill by the end of Friday, February 9.
The legislation aims to outlaw LGBTQ identification and associated activities within the Ghanaian society.
In his opening remarks in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu revealed that the bill is expected to undergo comprehensive amendments by Friday.
“The Business Committee on February 5 programmed to have the first consideration of the bill beginning February 7, and we do anticipate that we will be able to get it to a closure by Friday [February 9],” he said.
One of the proponents of the bill, Mr Sam George Nartey, who is the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has expressed confidence in the potential passage of the Bill by March 2024.
In an interview on Eyewitness News at Citi FM, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram shared insights into the bill’s current status, highlighting ongoing amendments with inputs from various stakeholders.
“They are almost 60% done with consideration. Hopefully, there will be another two weeks of parliamentary work when we resume, and they should be done with consideration. The third stage of reading is just a procedural thing. It is read, and then the bill is passed,” George explained.
Providing a timeline for the potential passage, George stated, “In fact, during the first session of the meeting we are about to start, we believe that in the first session, which is going to run from the 6th of February to the end of March or early April, I believe that we should pass the bill before Easter. I think it is something we should give as an Easter gift from parliament to the nation. So we would strive to work with the speaker and the committee chair.”