Declare your stance on LGBTQ now – Sam George dares Akufo-Addo

Samuel Nartey George, the lead sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill nicknamed Anti-LGBTQ/Gay bill, has called on President Akufo-Addo to make his stance on the practice clear to Ghanaians.

He says the silence of the President on the matter is raising suspicions of his support for the practice which has overwhelmingly been rejected by the citizens.

Speaking at a campaign tour of the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, in his constituency Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Prampram lawmaker said Ghanaians want to hear the President’s documented view on the practice.

 

“The people of Ghana want to hear what your view is on the LGBTQ. Say something and sign it. Mr. President, you’re beginning to appear as a supporter of LGBTQ,” said Sam George.

The bill, passed by Parliament on February 28, 2024, proffers many punishments to persons who engage in and/or promote same sex practices in the country.

Among the punishments include up to 3 years of imprisonment for engaging in same-sex intercourse; 6 to 10 years imprisonment for anyone who produces, procures, or distributes materials deemed to be promoting LGBT+ activities amongst others.

Following the passage by Parliament, the bill is still not a law because the President has not signed it yet.

He said he was going to wait for the

 Supreme Court’s declaration on some suits filed against the bill by some citizens.

One of the suits sought to injunct the legislature from submitting the bill to the presidency, a position the Speaker challenged as an infringement on the procedures of the Legislature.

Also amongst the punishments for breaching the law includes 6 months to 1 year imprisonment for a “public show of romantic relations” between people of the same sex; 6 months to 1 year imprisonment for a “public show of romantic relations ” with someone who has undergone gender reassignment or who cross-dresses and a ban on providing trans healthcare amongst others.

Source:onuaonline.com