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In anticipation of the long-awaited debate on the controversial Anti-LGBT bill laid before parliament, some clerics in the country have massed up in the Chamber to observe proceedings.
The bill was scheduled to be laid before the House on Friday, March 24, 2023, but that fell through, and its second reading has since been tentative.
Last week, Speaker Alban Bagbin directed that the bill, also called the Proper Human Sexual Right and the Ghanaian Family Value Bill, be scheduled for second reading this week, although without specificity of day, noting that it must be complied with.
“The Proper Human Sexual Right and the Ghanaian Family Value Bill be programmed for Tuesday or Thursday. Whatever it is, it must be on the order paper next week.
“The motion of the second reading must be programmed either Tuesday or Thursday,” the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, announced to the House on the Speaker’s behalf.
Today Wednesday, the House has converged for the bill to be laid before the plenary for second reading and debate.
In attendance are groups and individuals including a Muslim delegation led by the President of Coalitions of Muslims Organisations Ghana (COMOG), Hajj Abdel Manan Abdel Rahman; Nana Alhaji Yussif Fajinam, Chief of Kintampo and President of Zongo Chiefs and 19 other members
From the Christian sect, Apostle Christopher Affum Nyarko, Vice President of the Apostolic Church-Ghana with other Apostolic Church-Ghana pastors were present; Apostle Daniel Kojo Sey of the Church of Pentecost, Dansoman area; Apostle Francis Yaw Adu, Church of Pentecost Nsawam area, with six other apostles for other areas were in attendance; and a host of representatives of other churches.
The Anti-LGBT bill
The controversial Anti-LGBT Bill is a private member’s bill presented to the House on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
The bill aims to criminalise the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality in the country.
There have, however, been human rights infringement issues raised by sections of the public.
Currently, the Speaker of the House Alban Bagbin and the Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame are in court for allegedly breaching portions of the 1992 constitution on how the legislative body can handle the Human Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021.
