The Board Chair of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, has urged President Akufo-Addo to reject the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill.
Professor Gadzekpo argued that the proposed bill violates fundamental human rights protected by the Constitution such as freedom of speech and association as well as academic freedom.
During a press conference aimed at supporting sexual minorities in Ghana, Prof. Gadzekpo emphasized that constitutional democracy requires upholding rights and freedoms.
She cautioned that altering these rights could threaten Ghana’s democratic principles, indicating how significant the issue is for all citizens.
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“Once our pillars of democracy rest to prevent the tyranny of the majority, depending on where we find ourselves, and on any given issue, we can all experience the feeling of being minorities. The rights guaranteed in the constitution is therefore our only protector from majoritarian tyranny,” she said.
Professor Gadzekpo further stated that the status of human rights should not be determined by majority approval or disapproval.
“Human rights are not dependent on majority approval or disapproval, therefore the assertion by the proponents of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill that because the majority of Ghanaians are allegedly in favour of the bill, justifies its passage into laws is untenable. Ghana is a secular and multi-religious country,” she added.
The anti-gay bill has stirred controversy since its introduction in Parliament in 2021, with human rights groups arguing that it could violate the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
Also known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, the bill seeks to criminalise the promotion and activities of the LGBTQ community. It has thus far advanced in Parliament, now awaiting approval.
