Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised constitutional concerns regarding the proposed Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The Efutu MP has stressed the significant constitutional issues that need addressing before the bill can proceed.
He cautioned that failure to address these concerns could render the bill legally vulnerable and subject to challenges in court.
In an interview with Citi TV on Monday, February 26, Mr. Afenyo-Markin urged his fellow parliamentarians to carefully consider these issues before advancing the bill further.
“I think the law in its present form has questionable constitutional issues. The law as I see it, from how I’ve seen it, cannot stand any serious test in any constitutional court.
“I think that the law would have serious challenges at the Supreme Court. If it faces a constitutionality test, it will fail. Not the entire law, but aspects of it, will fail. That’s my view,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a firm warning against any delays in the approval process of the bill.
According to the NDC MPs, they will not tolerate any attempts to hinder the bill’s progress.
The bill, which secured Parliament’s approval on Thursday, February 8, stipulates a three-to-five-year jail term for those found promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ activities.
Individuals caught engaging in such activities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years.
However, during the bill’s third reading, Mr. Afenyo-Markin voiced objections to a specific provision that could lead to the incarceration of individuals involved in LGBTQ activities.
His intervention halted the bill’s immediate passage, sparking a heated debate over its contentious nature.
While Afenyo-Markin supports the bill’s underlying principles, he opposes the clause about the imprisonment of individuals associated with LGBTQ activities.
In response to Afenyo-Markin’s concerns, the Minority Chief Whip reiterated that any further delays in the bill’s approval process would not be tolerated.
Subsequently, Mr. Afenyo-Markin withdrew his objections under pressure from his colleagues.
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