Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has objected to a jail punishment for anybody found guilty of partaking in LGBTQ+ activities.
On Thursday, February 8, Parliament authorized a three- to five-year jail penalty for persons who deliberately encourage or fund LGBTQ activities, while those caught in the act would face a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years.
During a clause-by-clause modification to the law on the promotion of legitimate human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, Mr. Afenyo-Markin claimed that punitive measures would not contribute to the culprit’s recovery.
The Effutu politician criticised the status of the country’s jails, claiming that they would not provide the necessary rehabilitation for perpetrators of the act.
“I contend that given the state of our prisons, a custodial sentence will not lead to the rehabilitation of the offender if he is convicted; it cannot be an option. If indeed we are promoting Ghanaian family values, then our Ghanaian family values will not entail the consequence of those who breach them being destroyed in society.”
Sam Nartey George, the chief proponent of the anti-gay bill, claimed that “what created the confusion was the establishment of advocacy for the promotion of the activities; that is what Ghanaians are against. Nobody is interested in what you do in your bedroom. And so, the punishment for one caught in the act is to be a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years.”
“However, for anyone engaging in wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of the agenda, the punitive measure for that is a minimum of 3 years, maximum of 5 years.”
