The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has described the jail sentence for LGBTQ+ persons as “senseless”.
Individuals found guilty under this law could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while those promoting and sponsoring the act may face a jail term of three to five years.
However, Mr Cudjoe believes that the bill lacked thoughtful analysis and consideration in terms of imprisoning persons who engage in such practice.
He urged for a more thoughtful approach and thorough deliberation before President Akufo-Addo considers assenting to the bill in its current form.
“I don’t think it is sensible to imprison anyone who you believe is gay unless of course, that person must have raped, or must have unduly influenced other people, especially minors and you caught them in the act.
“But how are you going to police people who are doing their acts in the bedroom…I think the law was limited in terms of sensible thinking and analysis in that regard,” he said.
The bill stipulates that those who take part in LGBTQ+ sexual acts, as well as those who promote the rights of gay, lesbian or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities, will spend time in prison.
Although a section of the public has welcomed the bill, others including Commission the on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) have raised many concerns including discrimination against people and their freedoms as stated in the constitution.
The Finance Ministry has advised President Akufo-Addo to defer assent to the bill, expressing concerns that the country could face serious financial challenges if the president goes ahead to assent to the bill.
The ministry warned that Ghana could lose more than $3 billion in funding from the World Bank for various programmes and projects.
In response, President Akufo-Addo reassured the international community of Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights despite the recent passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.