Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed plans to submit recommendations to President John Mahama regarding the controversial LGBTQ Bill, which has sparked widespread debate across Ghana.
While Iddrisu refrained from divulging specifics about the content of his proposed suggestions, he emphasized that his ideas would align with national interests and aim to foster broad consensus around the bill.
Speaking at the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving at the national mosque on Friday, January 10, Iddrisu stated, “I have some ideas on the LGBTQ issue, but I am yet to share them with the president on how he can re-own the bill, get national consensus around it, and ensure it aligns with the laws of Ghana and the constitution.”
He stressed that while the issue is often framed in religious terms, it is, in fact, a broader social problem that requires collective attention and resolution.
The LGBTQ Bill, formally known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, seeks to criminalize activities related to LGBTQI advocacy, including promoting, funding, or supporting LGBTQI-related activities. If enacted, the law would impose penalties on individuals or groups involved in such actions.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is essential to protect Ghanaian cultural values and family structures from what they perceive as foreign ideologies.
However, the bill has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, who view it as a violation of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and equality.
The bill’s legislative journey has been contentious, with challenges raised in the Supreme Court. Broadcast journalist Richard Dela Sky and academic Dr. Amanda Odoi filed petitions, arguing that the bill did not meet the constitutional requirements during its legislative process, and therefore, should be considered unconstitutional.
In a ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed the petitions, stating that the bill had not yet become law and therefore could not be challenged on constitutional grounds.
Justice Lovelace Johnson clarified that legislative processes, including those related to bills, are not subject to judicial review until the bill is formally enacted and receives presidential assent.
As the debate continues, Iddrisu’s proposed recommendations may play a crucial role in shaping the bill's future and the national discourse surrounding LGBTQI rights in Ghana.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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