By: Jeremiah Nutsugah
The Majority Leader of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Efutu Constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticized the media for not contributing to the discourse on the Anti-LGBTQI Bill by failing to critique the law.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the Parliament of Ghana approved the bill on Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, commonly referred to as the Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) bill.
The bill aims to punish individuals who engage in LGBTQ sexual acts, as well as those who promote the rights of gay, lesbian, or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities, with imprisonment.
In an exclusive interview on TV3, Afenyo-Markin stated that the media, as the front-line, has not taken the time to critique the Anti-LGBTQI Bill, but has merely scratched the surface, which has not helped the discourse.
He suggested that the punishment should involve a community service regime or non-custodial sentencing, rather than a custodial sentencing regime that results in imprisonment for those involved in such acts.
“So, I aimed at the introduction of the custodial sentencing regime act. I echoed the point that given the conditions in our prisons, which have given rise to a new judiciary, we need to proceed with caution by introducing a community service regime or a custodial sentencing that could be limited to just a fine,” he explained.
He further proposed that individuals found guilty should undergo mandatory counseling, emphasizing that the consequences and actions should lead to reforms and the reintegration of those persons into society.
“I am not an advocate for LGBTQ, but I am here to consider how we can integrate and deal with the issue so that the situation does not worsen.”
