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| Image: AFP, US Vice President Kamala Harris with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo |
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo announced on Monday that an anti-gay measure now being considered in parliament had been "changed" due to his government's involvement.
Mr. Akufo-Addo stated during a joint press conference with visiting US Vice-President Kamala Harris that the measure was not official government policy but had been proposed by a "handful" of private members.
He stated that the attorney general has commented to a parliamentary committee on the "constitutionality or otherwise of numerous of its clauses."
“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 refused to say what he would do if the bill passed - and hoped the parliament would consider the sensitivity of the human rights aspect.
"We will see what the final outcome will be," he added.
Ms. Harris stated that she discussed the situation with President Akufo-Addo and that the US regarded it as a violation of human rights.
If passed, the Promotion of Appropriate Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Value Law will jail LGBTQ people and criminalize gay rights activism.
Beginning in January 2021, Ghana's parliament began public hearings on the measure. When it is put to the vote is unknown.
In Ghana, where homophobic attitudes are prevalent, gay intercourse is currently criminal by up to three years in prison, but the new law would impose heavier punishments.
Mr. Akufo-Addo has already stated that same-sex marriage would never be legalized while he is president.
Mr. Akufo-Addo stated during a joint press conference with visiting US Vice-President Kamala Harris that the measure was not official government policy but had been proposed by a "handful" of private members.
He stated that the attorney general has commented to a parliamentary committee on the "constitutionality or otherwise of numerous of its clauses."
“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 refused to say what he would do if the bill passed - and hoped the parliament would consider the sensitivity of the human rights aspect.
"We will see what the final outcome will be," he added.
Ms. Harris stated that she discussed the situation with President Akufo-Addo and that the US regarded it as a violation of human rights.
If passed, the Promotion of Appropriate Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Value Law will jail LGBTQ people and criminalize gay rights activism.
Beginning in January 2021, Ghana's parliament began public hearings on the measure. When it is put to the vote is unknown.
In Ghana, where homophobic attitudes are prevalent, gay intercourse is currently criminal by up to three years in prison, but the new law would impose heavier punishments.
Mr. Akufo-Addo has already stated that same-sex marriage would never be legalized while he is president.
SOURCE: BBC
