LGBTQI+ law must consider culture, interest of humanity – President

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed hope that the Human Sexuality and Identity Bill currently before Parliament will take into account people’s culture and societal attitudes, as well as their humanity.

“The consequences, hopefully, will be those that will recognise the culture and the societal attitude of the people and at the same time recognise the humanity of all people involved. “Hopefully, the law that will be drafted will allow for this delicate balance to be struck,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo made the remarks yesterday at the Jubilee House in Accra, during a courtesy call by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Portal Welby, and the leadership of the global Anglican Communion.

The Most Rev. Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church and a participant in the 18th Consultative Council Meeting of 165 countries, stated that one of the issues being discussed at the meeting was human sexuality and identity.

He said it was a difficult issue because there were no clear global views on it, and that many countries tried to impose their views on others, adding, “But when we talk about human sexuality, we are dealing with people.”

Bill Introduced by a Private Member

President Akufo-Addo stated that the issue of human sexuality and identity was also a hotly debated topic in the country, to the point where a Private Member’s Bill, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, was introduced in Parliament.

“Parliament is fully in control, and I will have my say at the end of the day,” he said.

The President also expressed concern about the issues of slavery and human trafficking, stating that people were trafficked under the guise of securing lucrative jobs, only to end up in disastrous circumstances in the Middle East and other areas.

The President said the country was dealing with a large influx of refugees as a result of the Sahel region’s troubles, particularly in Burkina Faso, and he urged everyone to work together to ensure stability and good governance in the region in order to stop the influx.

President Akufo-Addo stated that the alarming projection of 1.2 billion refugees worldwide by 2050 demanded that everyone work together to address the issue.

The President talks about Health

The President, who is also an Anglican, was given a tabletop golden Crucifix by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

During a briefing at the Anglican Network meeting, the Most Rev. Welby expressed surprise that a long list of Ghanaian doctors continued to play a critical role around the world in primary health care, smallpox vaccination through the World Health Organization (WHO), and COVID-19 vaccination.

“I was struck by the number of Ghanaian doctors involved. It may reflect the expression of a former Foreign Secretary of the UK that ‘Ghana punches above its weight’. It is a large country, but not as large as some, and has played an important role in health,” he added.

The majority of Rev. Welby also stated that the world was witnessing a massive destruction of traditional family patterns due to hunger and refugee issues that were increasing due to wars, climate change, and terrorism, and he praised Ghana’s significant role in combating modern slavery and human trafficking.

He stated that the Anglican Communion believed that when human sexuality issues were raised, it was about dealing with human beings, and that those people, like all human beings, were people Christ died for.

“As a result, we seek to find a way forward in which every human being, regardless of other factors, may know that he or she is loved by Jesus Christ and has an opportunity to find the salvation that comes from Christ,” he continued.

According to the Most Rev. Welby, this is the position of the Anglican Church and many other churches.

“There are many points of view within the communion, and every international church is grappling with it. “I know it’s a hot topic in Ghana, and I’m not going to tell you what to do,” he added.

Background

On Thursday, November 11, 2021, the 18-member Parliamentary Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee held its first public hearing on a Private Member’s Bill that would make it illegal to be gay or advocate for gay rights.

On Monday, August 2, 2021, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, which was introduced to the House in July 2021, received its First Reading.

The proposed legislation, which aims to protect human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, seeks to limit LGBTQ+ communities and their activities.

The new bill seeks to criminalize further the promotion and funding of LGBTQ+ activities, as well as public displays of affection, cross-dressing, and other activities, while campaigning for LGBTQ+ people on social media or online platforms is also prohibited. President

It also seeks to protect and support children, people who have been victims or accused of LBBTTQQIAAP+ and related activities, and other people and matters, while those who advocate for the rights of such sexual minorities will face penalties. President

Proponents of the bill want homosexual promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts to be criminalized in the country, claiming it is a world-class piece of legislation that should serve as a model for other legislatures seeking to pass similar legislation.

According to the bill’s memorandum, the bill’s purpose is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, to prohibit LGBTQ+ and related activities, and to prohibit propaganda of, advocacy for, or promotion of LGBTTQQIAAP+ and related activities. President

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