Despite President Akufo-Addo's refusal to sign private members' bills into law, the controversial Anti-LGBTQ bill will continue to be worked on.
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The President has recently declined to sign specific private members' bills, including one sponsored by Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu that sought to abolish the death penalty and outlaw accusations of witchcraft. The President's reasoning for this decision is that the bill would impose a financial burden on the Consolidated Fund, stressing that such proposals should originate from the Executive. In a letter, the President indicated that his office would not consider any private members' bills that impose a charge on the consolidated fund.
The fate of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which was initiated by a private member, remains uncertain. However, the Majority Leader has stated that work on the bill will continue in Parliament despite constitutional concerns raised by members.
Last week, Parliament could not reach a consensus on the appropriate punishment for LGBTQ+ individuals engaging in unnatural carnal knowledge with each other. The Bill criminalizes same-sex relations, as well as relations between a person and an animal or object, proposing a penalty of 3 to 5 years. However, the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee recommended a maximum jail term of up to 3 years without suggesting a minimum sentence.
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The Chairman of the Committee explained the rationale behind the proposal, stating that it was supported by many religious bodies who believed in offering opportunities for reform. He argued that a strict law with no option for reform would be too severe, and suggested leaving the decision on sentencing to the discretion of judges based on individual circumstances.
One of the bill's sponsors, Sam George, emphasized the importance of advice on the penalty units to be imposed on offenders in determining the severity of the corresponding sanction. However, the Speaker interjected, stating that there was already a law on equivalence of penalty units that would apply.
After deliberations, the Speaker deferred the questions to parliamentary drafters to draft a detailed record of the discussions to better reflect the intentions of various legislators.
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