Private legal practitioner lawyer Gabby Otchere Darko has warned Ghana could be blacklisted should the controversial anti-LGBT law be passed.
The lawyer who has been attacked on social media for his views on the matter says there are already existing laws that have to criminalize same-sex hence the new bill is not necessary.
According to him, the MPs who are pushing for the bill are aware of these existing laws.
In a tweet, he said President Akufo-Addo has already expressed his position on the matter indicating that he was not prepared to legalize same-sex relationships in Ghana.
He noted that Ghana is not known for hate but is known not to accept same-sex relationships.
He tweeted saying: “Gay+ activities are already illegal in our country. But, we aren’t known to hate. The President has given his word he won’t legalise it. This Bill only serves one purpose: to get Ghana blacklisted for promoting hate! Surely, the promoters of the Bill can’t say they aren’t aware!”
The 36-page has proposed severe sanctions including the prohibition of propaganda of, promotion of, and advocacy for activities of LGBTQI+ directed at a child.
The bill is proposing that a person who through media, technological account, or any other means produces, procures, markets, broadcasts, disseminates, publishes or distributor uses an electronic device, the internet service, a film, or any other device capable of electronic storage or transmission to produce, procure, market, broadcast, disseminate, publish or distribute material or information directed at a child whether directly or indirectly with intent to evoke the interest of the child in an activity prohibited under the Act or teach the child to explore any gender or sex other than the binary category of male or female commits an offence.
Such a person is liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than six years and not more than ten tears.
Also, the owner of the media, technological platform or technological account on which the material or information is circulated is deemed to have committed an offence.
Unless it is proven that the owner did not consent to, or connive at the commission of the offence and exercised the degree of reasonable diligence as ought in the circumstances to have been exercised to prevent the commission of the offence.
The media will include radio, television, newspaper, and the owner means the legal owner or operator of the media.
Section 14 of the bill is proposing the prohibition of funding or sponsorship for prohibited activities.
Therefore, a person who funds or sponsors an activity prohibited under the Act commits an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years.
Aside from these, the Bill is also proposing the disbandment of all LGBTQ+ groups, societies, associations, clubs, and organizations.
All groups in existence before the Bill came into existence and are intended to promote such activities are to be disbanded.
Persons are also not allowed to form, organise, operate, or register, promote the formation, organization, operation, or registration it participates in an activity to support or sustain LGBTQ activities.
Persons who contravene this provision could face up to not less than six years or not more than ten years imprisonment.
Adoption for LGBTQ+ persons is also prohibited in the bill.
