Reduce jail term for LGBTQ members, prison could make them worse – Afenyo-Markin

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has advocated for custodial sentences for LGBTQ+ activists during the discussion of the anti-gay bill, emphasizing the importance of appropriate penalties for those promoting such activities.

The current provisions of the anti-gay bill suggest a punishment of 750 penalty units, equivalent to a minimum fine of GHS9,400 or a prison term of at least 2 years. The maximum penalty is set at 2,000 penalty units, translating to GHS24,000 or a prison sentence of 4 years.

Addressing concerns about the harshness of custodial sentences, revisions were introduced, reducing the minimum penalty to 50 units (GHS600) or a prison term of at least 3 months.

The maximum penalty was also adjusted to 100 units (GHS1,200) or a prison sentence of up to 6 months.

However, during his address to Parliament on Wednesday, February 7, Alexander Afenyo-Markin proposed a further reduction in the sentence, suggesting a maximum imprisonment period of three months.

Anti-gay bill: Afenyo-Markin proposes a 3-month maximum sentence instead of 6 for the promotion of LGBTQI+ activities. #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/cKBGvl4Ajf

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) February 8, 2024

“We should rather look at one month to three months instead of three months and six months. If a commensurate penalty unit cannot be defined within the context of the proposal which is two months and four months then we should not go higher.

“We cannot there say that the nearest is three and six. We can also have the nearest being one and three. So, Mr. Speaker, we should rather look at one month and three months instead. I thank you,” Alexander Afenyo-Markin said.