‘Imprisonment Is Not The Solution’ – Dep. Majority Leader Opposes Anti-LGBTQ Bill

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has objected to portions of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill before Parliament where persons caught in homosexual act or activists of homosexuality are to face a jail term.

According to the lawmaker, the issues regarding the LGBTQ+ society are “behavioral”, therefore incarceration will not solve the problem.

Though acknowledging that he is not against principles of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, otherwise known as “anti-gay” bill, the Effutu lawmaker made it emphatic that he vehemently opposes the recommendation for persons who engage in LGBTQ+ practices to be imprisoned.

“The issue before us is behavioral, and it is my humble view that in dealing with behavioural matters, incarceration is not the solution. It makes the matter worse”, he argued, adding “to jail a person for his/her sexuality will not be the solution in maintaining our Ghanaian family values and ensuring proper human sexual rights”.

He further said; “The essence of this motion is to afford this august house the opportunity to thoroughly consider amendments that are proposed in the bill with the view of substituting community service for incarceration.”

Hon. Afenyo-Markin’s opposition blocked the bill which would have come into force today.

Source: Ghmessenger.com