The Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan-Essiam Constituency, Honorable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has vowed that Parliament would compel President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill into law if he refuses to do so after it passage.
The Minority Leader, Dr Ato Forson in a media briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, February 7 2024 strongly asserted that Parliament would not allowed President Akufo-Addo to undermine its constitutional mandate of making laws.
According to Dr Ato Forson, if in any instance President Akufo-Addo refused to assent the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill after it passage by Parliament, Parliament would by two third majority in accordance with it Standing Orders and the Constitution compel him to do so.
“There are rumours out there that after passage, the president may not sign it into law. However, the constitution envisioned this, and it said the house will have to use a certain approach which is the house using the two-thirds majority of members to approve it. So let us deal with the first hurdle and get it passed and then send it to the President and if he fails to assent, we will take a decision”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Parliament Imposes Six Month Custodial Sentences On LGBTQ+ Advocates
Meanwhile, Parliament has amended the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill and imposed a six months custodial sentences on persons who in any way appear to aid, facilitate, encourage or promotes LGBTQ+ activities when the bill is passed and assented by the President.
The amendment was proposed by the Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament and lead sponsor of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Samuel Nartey George, who strongly asserted that the six months custodial sentences would serve as deterrent to persons who engages in any activities related to LGBTQ+.
“for me, even the GH¢600 is a bargain because it aims to prevent lengthy custodial sentences. However, judges retain the discretion to impose fines, imprisonment, or both. Therefore, I believe that GH₵600 to GH₵1200, or a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months, serves as an adequate deterrent”.
Samuel Nartey George
However, the Deputy Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency in the Central Region, Alexander Afenyo Markin has opposed to the amendment making culprit of LGBTQ+ liable for maximum six month and minimum three months custodial sentences.
The astute legal practitioner further called for a reduction in the amended custodial sentenecs from six month maximum and three month minimum to three month maximum and one month minimum with some fee charges.
According to the Effutu Member of Parliament if the commensurate penalty unit cannot be defined within the context of the proposal which is two months and four months, then Parliament should not go higher.
” We should rather look at one month and three months, instead of three months and six months. the court has a position on sentencing. It’s the reason why we now have introduced this plea bargain thing.
“The plea bargain in law that we have enacted is also aimed at dealing with some of these things. In even serious criminal matters if the person is ready to pay to deal with the issue of the time for the trial and all, and also depopulate our prisons”
Alexander Afenyo Markin
Under the amended bill, those found guilty of promoting LGBTQ activities will face a minimum sentence of three months and a maximum of six months, or a fine of GH₵600 minimum to GH₵1200.
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