The senior partner and co-founder of Africa Legal Associates, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has warned that Parliament’s passage of harsher anti-gay legislation, in the shape of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (commonly known as the Anti-Gay Bill), can expect to provoke effects.
He called for a public debate on the pros and cons of the proposed legislation.
The bill, passed on Wednesday (28 February 2024), is intended to criminalise the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality.
The United States ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, says the passage of the bill will affect Ghana’s economy and international reputation.
Reacting to the passage of the bill on X on Friday (1 March), Otchere-Darko said the passage of the bill will come with consequences.
“Ghana’s parliament, in which is vested the sovereign will of the people, has democratically passed a harsher anti-gay Bill.
“Yes, democratically! In fact the threat of being unseated for standing for the rights of gays, etc, certainly created its own culture of silence in the House!
“But, it is the decision of Parliament and one which enjoys huge popular support in the country. The world must understand that. But, Ghanaians must also understand that it comes with consequences. Choices have consequences,” he wrote.
Ghana’s parliament, in which is vested the sovereign will of the people, has democratically passed a harsher anti-LGBTQ Bill. Yes, democratically! In fact the threat of being unseated for standing for the rights of gays, etc, certainly created its own culture of silence in the…
— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) March 1, 2024