Anti-LGBTQ bill: ‘You can’t jail a person over sexuality’ – Afenyo-Markin blocks 3rd reading over custodial sentencing

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has blocked the third reading of the Anti-LGBTQ bill.

Barring his move, this day would have seen the passage of the controversial legislation.

Mr Afenyo-Markin says he is not outrightly against the principles of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill and supports it.

But the Effutu legislator says he opposes the provision that would lead to the imprisonment of individuals accused of engaging in or promoting LGBTQ activities.

“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,” he said.

According to him, the bill’s punitive action would not aid in rehabilitating the culprits.

“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 explained that “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.”

Meanwhile, a sponsor of the bill, Sam George indicated that Mr Markin’s argument does not hold water.