President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed at joint news conference on Monday, March 27 that his government has ‘modified’ the anti-gay bill that is now being discussed in parliament.
Speaking during a joint news conference with the visiting US Vice-President Kamala Harris held at the Jubilee House, the President said the bill was not official government policy but rather had been put forward by a “handful” of private members.
Akufo-Addo noted that the attorney general had submitted opinions to a parliamentary committee about “the constitutionality or otherwise of several of its provisions”.
“My understanding … is that substantial elements of the bill have already been modified as a result of the intervention of the attorney general,” he said without giving details.
President Akufo-Addo declined to indicate what he would do if the bill passed and expressed his hope that parliament would take into account the delicate nature of the human rights issue.
“We will see what the final outcome will be,” he added.
US Vice-President, Ms Harris also noted that she had addressed the issue with President Akufo-Addo and said the US considered it a matter of human rights.
If it becomes law, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Value Bill would imprison those that identify as LGBTQ and criminalise advocacy for gay rights,
Ghana’s parliament held public hearings on the bill starting in 2021. It is unclear when it will be put to a vote.
Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, where homophobic attitudes are widespread, but the draft law would impose longer sentences.
Same-sex marriage has been condemned by President Akufo-Addo in the past, and he has promised that it would never become legal while he is president.
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