Sam Okudzeto, a member of the Council of State, has denounced the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, criticizing its rationale and timing.
He argued that the legislation is not only unnecessary but also inappropriate, sparking debate and concern among human rights advocates and the LGBTQ+ community.
Okudzeto asserted that the anti-LGBTQ+ bill should never have been introduced, as he believes that the state has no legitimate grounds to intrude into the personal lives and relationships of consenting adults.
As such, he argued that individuals have the right to privacy, autonomy, and freedom to make their own choices and that the government should not impose its moral biases on citizens.
Furthermore, Mr. Okudzeto questioned the perceived link between individuals’ intimate relationships and the broader economy.
He contended that the actions of two adults in the privacy of their bedroom should not be subject to governmental scrutiny or regulation, emphasizing the importance of personal freedoms and privacy rights.
“We have even tried to induce the churches, they are all running around calling on the president to sign the bill. All the sins which are listed in the Bible, what have they been doing about it? LGBTQ is the only one they have seen?”
Sam Okudzeto
Furthermore, Mr. Okudzeto emphasized that Ghana is grappling with pressing issues like corruption, which has pervasively infiltrated every facet of the nation’s economy, undermining its development and prosperity.
He stressed that the focus should be on addressing these critical problems rather than diverting attention to impractical legislation. “We talk about corruption, corruption, from the messenger to the top, every one of us is involved in corruption,” he added
Furthermore, Mr. Okudzeto suggested a re-evaluation of national priorities, suggesting that the focus on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation detracts from addressing critical socio-economic challenges that affect all Ghanaians.
As such he emphasized that the sexual preference of an individual neither affects the economy nor the standard of living of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Education Sector Needs Improving
Additionally, Mr. Okudzeto contended that Ghana’s education sector is in a state of decline and urgently requires the same level of attention and resources being devoted to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
He emphasized that the nation’s future depends on investing in education, rather than diverting energy and resources into impractical legislation. “Does that affect my education?” he added.
Mr. Okudzeto also stated that his perspective on the anti-LGBTQ+ controversy is entirely distinct, stressing that the very notion of the bill is fundamentally misguided and unrelated to the actual issues affecting Ghanaian society.
“We are preoccupied with someone sitting with a man or a woman sitting with a woman as being a national issue. The whole thing about LGBTQI is a nonsense issue, it should not have come in the first place”.
Sam Okudzeto
Parliament has unanimously passed the bill criminalizing the practice and promotion of LGBTQ+.
The anti-LGBTQ bill was passed in parliament on Wednesday, 28th February 2024 after a successful third reading. The bill seeks to protect the cultural values of Ghanaians by ensuring that the practice of LGBTQ does not infiltrate Ghanaian societies.
However, some detractors of the bill argue that the bill is self-contradictory. They asserted that the bill on the one hand claims to be protecting the Ghanaian family but on the other hand, separates offenders of the bill from their families by sending them away to serve jail sentences.
The bill’s transmission to President Akufo-Addo for his assent is stalled currently after two citizens challenged the constitutionality of the bill.
Ghanaians are divided on the President’s handling of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Some see his wait for the court verdict as unconstitutional, while others believe it’s in line with the Constitution.
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