The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central has expressed strong opposition to the “Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values” bill.
He warned that passage of what has become known as the anti-LGBTQ bill would lead to a myriad of issues.
Mr. Inusah Fuseini argued that the bill’s scope would inadvertently turn every Ghanaian citizen into a de facto surveillance agent for the state, potentially giving rise to a host of problems.
He was speaking on Citi TV.
He stated, “The passage of this bill will likely turn every Ghanaian into a security detail expected to spy on others and report back to the state, which will give rise to all manner of problems.”
The former lawmaker expressed his concern about the bill’s language, particularly regarding the description of “unnatural carnal knowledge,” describing it as deeply troubling.
He also pointed out that there already exists a law criminalizing interference in people’s private affairs.
“As Africans, we have traditions, and that is why LGBTQ+ is facing stiff opposition. We see it as a cultural recolonization, a cultural imposition, and it is not African,” Mr. Fuseini added.
“I have said that unnatural carnal knowledge is an inherently private matter. It is a private matter, and we are not concerned about what goes on in the four walls of your bedroom, and that is why I said the bill is trying to create a police state.”
The former questioned the necessity of utilizing state resources to monitor private affairs when there are already laws in place to address such matters.
According to the former MP, openly professing to be LGBTQ+ would not be an issue, but engaging in related activities known to law enforcement agencies or responsible citizens would lead to arrest and imprisonment, as per existing legislation.
He emphasized the potential consequences, warning, “The bill will introduce more problems for us because they say if you are in your house, you have the responsibility to ensure members of the household uphold proper family values.”