The enactment of the anti-gay bill was driven by political motives – Audrey Gadzekpo

The Chair of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Audrey Gadzekpo, asserts that the Anti-Gay Bill was enacted for political motives. On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill. This legislation criminalizes and prohibits LGBT activities, including their promotion, advocacy, and funding.

Those engaged in such activities could face a jail term ranging from six months to three years, while promoters and sponsors may be sentenced to three to five years in prison. Prof Gadzekpo, speaking in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, claimed that the passage of the bill was politically driven.

She pointed out that Sam George, the main proponent of the bill, had defended the rights of homosxeuals in 2015 during accusations against former President John Dramani Mahama. At that time, it was rumored that Mahama had a gay friend sponsoring him. Gadzekpo questioned the shift in George’s stance, stating, “I have to wonder why he changed his mind… What has changed? 10 years ago, did he have a different morality from today, from 2021 when he proposed the bill.” She emphasized her belief that politics played a significant role, asserting that the vulnerable were being disregarded in the process.