A prominent civil advocacy group known as AriseGhana has expressed worry over the President’s unwillingness to assent to the Human Rights and Family Values Bill passed by the Parliament of Ghana recently.
The Bill, which was passed in Parliament on February 28, 2024, outlaws LGBTQ activities and criminalizes their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Individuals found guilty would face a jail term of 6 months to 3 years, while promoters and sponsors of the act could face a 3 to 5-year jail term.
However, the passage of the Bill has drawn criticism from some stakeholders, including the Ambassador of the United States to Ghana, Virginia Evelyn Palmer, threatening to withdraw business with Ghana if the bill is passed into law.
A statement by the advocacy group on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, questioned the President’s actions, highlighting the importance of upholding core national values and the need to address the LGBTQI+ issue.
The group further criticized the government for its handling of financial matters, suggesting that concerns over potential aid loss due to the Bill’s passage raise questions about the management of significant revenues and loans obtained during the government’s tenure.
In response to President Akufo-Addo’s delay in assenting to the Bill, AriseGhana has revealed plans to mobilize the public for advocacy, activism, and protest activities throughout March 2024.
Meanwhile, Comrade Rex Omar, Convener of AriseGhana, in a statement has commended members of Parliament and sponsors of the Bill for their dedication to promoting the values important to Ghanaians.
