Afenyo-Markin raises concern over custodial sentences for LGBTQ+ activities
The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has raised concerns about custodial sentences for persons engaging in LGBTQ+ activities.
Those caught engaging in LGBTQ+ activities will also face a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum of three years.
However, according to Mr Afenyo-Markin, the punitive action would not aid in rehabilitating the culprit.
During a discussion of the clause-by-clause amendment of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, he stated that the prisons in the country will not offer adequate rehabilitation for offenders of this 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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George said “What created the confusion was the establishment of an advocacy for promoting 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 acting in a willful promotion, sponsorship or support of the agenda, the punitive measure for that is minimum three years, maximum five years,” he said.
The sponsors of the bill, which criminalizes same-sex relationships, including oral and anal sex, initially proposed penalties ranging from 5 to 10 years in prison.
This new development affects advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, the promotion of same-sex marriage, and the provision of support services to LGBTQ+ individuals.
It will also punish individuals or organisations involved in LGBTQ+ events or supporting LGBTQ+ rights.