Accra, 05 March, 2024 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
The Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) has lauded lawmakers in Ghana for voting for the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021.
Known as the Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Bill, the bill that was passed on February 28 and is awaiting President Nana Akufo-Addo’s assent to become law criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities.
The Bill also illegalizes the "wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities” and imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for those found guilty of identifying as LGBTQ and a jail term of up to five years for anyone convicted of forming, advocating for, or funding LGBTQ groups.
“ACPF applauds the Members of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana for their unanimous passage of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill,” the Christian Professionals say in a Monday, March 4 statement.
They say the Ghanaian lawmakers' decision to pass the Bill, aligns with the principles enshrined in Article 18 of the African Union Charter that emphasize the importance of defending “the dignity of the family and preserving African cultural values.”