The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Dr. Eric Adu-Gyamfi, has clarified that his entity does not have a stance on the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill because they serve as mediators.
Speaking on Accra-based TV3, he reiterated that the council plays a watchdog role to ensure that peace reigns in the country; however, taking a stance can generate chaos.
“We don’t have a position on the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill because we are mediators, we don’t take sides on issues like this. There are several issues that have come to us that people expected us to take sides, but realized it was important to remain neutral when they later came for conflict resolution. We are waiting to see how things will unfold, so we know whether to mediate or intervene in the event of a conflict”, Dr.Adu-Gyamfi said.
Ghana’s Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, passed the new bill, which could send anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ to prison for up to three years.
The bill also imposes a maximum five-year jail term unto persons who promote, sponsor or support the activities of LGBTQ+.
The passage of the bill has attracted several criticisms from various stakeholders, including US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller as well as United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Evelyn Palmer, even though President Akufo-Addo has yet to assent the bill.
