The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has expressed concerns that the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, could potentially violate the fundamental human rights of the citizens if it becomes law.
Mr. Michael Augustus Akagbor, Senior Project Officer for Human Rights and Social Inclusion at CDD-Ghana, emphasized that the bill goes beyond impacting the LGBTQ+ community alone; it infringes on the humanity of all Ghanaians.
He said, “In any democratic dispensation, rights should not be contingent on anything outside the humanity of the human being. The bill violates the human rights enshrined in chapter five of the 1992 Constitution.”
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Speaking at a workshop organized by CDD-Ghana in Tamale, aimed at enhancing right-based reporting in the media, he highlighted the broader implications of the proposed legislation.
Mr Akagbor argued that “If the Constitution does not discriminate, basically, it makes no sense to be having an LGBTQ+ discussion, because the LGBTQ+ community are already covered by the Constitution as we have it today.”
The two-day workshop aimed to equip the media with a right-based approach to reporting on issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the importance of promoting fundamental human rights while upholding free speech.
Mr. Akagbor argued that the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is comprehensive, covering the rights of every citizen, and therefore, there is no need for an additional bill as provisions already exist within the current legislation. He pointed out that the Constitution operates on the principle of neutrality, written in clear language, and does not endorse discrimination.
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The essence of the workshop, according to Mr. Akagbor, was to disseminate knowledge within the media space regarding the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and its potential implications for the public, which is currently not well understood. Stressing the media’s influential role in shaping public opinion, he emphasized the importance of engaging with the media to increase awareness and understanding of the issues at hand.
