Majority not against anti-gay legislation but current bill defective – Annor-Dompreh

Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annor-Dompreh, has dismissed suggestions that the Majority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament does not support the anti-LGBT+ bill.

Annor-Dompreh said in a social media post that some of the provisions in the 'Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021' need modifications.

Some of the provisions in the draft document are defective in the current state he stressed.

“It’s unfortunate the LGBTQ bill is being politicised. As the majority caucus in Parliament, we agree in principle that legislation that protects Ghanaian values in all areas of life must be supported. However, the bill, as it is now, is defective,” he tweeted on Saturday.

Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, stated recently that the debate on the approval or otherwise of the Proper Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 will not be founded on religious dogma.

According to him, the values and norms of the Ghanaian society will inform the decision of Members of Parliament on the bill because these are founded on the Constitution of Ghana.

This comment prompted suggestions that the Majority is against the bill.

But the tweet by Mr Annor-Dompreh explained that: “We need to fine-tune it to ensure that it maximises the protection of rights and freedoms in consonance with democratic principles as we have practised uninterrupted for over three decades.”

MP for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, and seven other MPs have sponsored the bill to criminalise aspects of LGBT+ activities in Ghana.

It's unfortunate the LGBTQ bill is being politicised. As the majority caucus in Parliament, we agree in principle that legislation that protects Ghanaian values in all areas of life must be supported. However the bill, as it is now, is defective.

— Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (@FAnnohDompreh) October 9, 2021

We need to fine-tune it to ensure that it maximises the protection of rights and freedoms in consonance with democratic principles as we have practiced uninterrupted for over 3 decades.

— Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (@FAnnohDompreh) October 9, 2021