Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed plans to present recommendations to President John Mahama regarding the controversial LGBTQ Bill, officially known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
While refraining from providing specific details of his proposals, the MP expressed confidence that his suggestions would serve the national interest and shape the bill in alignment with Ghana’s laws and constitution.
Speaking ahead of the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving event at the National Mosque on Friday, January 10, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu stated, “I have some ideas on the LGBTQ Bill, but I am yet to share them with the president as to how he can re-own the bill, gain national consensus around it, and ensure consistency with the laws of Ghana and the constitution.
“There is a way to address this. Commenting here would reduce the issue to a religious matter, but it is indeed a social problem that we must collectively tackle and resolve,” he added.
The LGBTQ Bill seeks to criminalize activities related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) advocacy.
It proposes penalties for individuals promoting or funding LGBTQI activities and those offering indirect support.
Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to safeguard Ghanaian cultural and family values from perceived foreign influences.
On the other hand, critics, including human rights advocates, condemn the bill as a violation of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and equality.
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