Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Poses Risks to Fundamental Human Rights - CDD-Ghana

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The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has raised concerns regarding the potential ramifications of the "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill," commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, expressing apprehensions about its impact on the fundamental human rights of Ghanaians if passed into law.

Related To This: I Will Expose All Politicians Involved In LGBTQ If You Pass The Anti-LGBTQ Bill - Transgender Activist Threatens

Mr. Michael Augustus Akagbor, the Senior Project Officer for Human Rights and Social Inclusion at CDD-Ghana, emphasized that the bill could not only impinge upon the rights of the LGBTQ+ community but also infringe on the overall humanity of Ghanaians. 

He emphasized the non-contingent nature of rights in a democratic setting, asserting that human rights should be anchored solely in the inherent humanity of individuals, and cautioned that the bill contravened the human rights enshrined in chapter five of the 1992 Constitution.

These concerns were expressed during a workshop held in Tamale, organized by CDD-Ghana, aimed at enhancing right-based reporting in the media. The two-day workshop sought to equip the media with a rights-based approach in reporting on issues pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the promotion of fundamental human rights while upholding free speech.

Related To This: Anti-LGBTQ bill: Clause 4 Of Bill Raises Debate In Parliament

Mr. Akagbor underscored the comprehensiveness of the 1992 Constitution, which he asserted covers the rights of every citizen, emphasizing that the existing legislation already provides for everyone. He contended that the Constitution operates on the principle of neutrality, devoid of discrimination, and thus questioned the necessity of a separate bill. 

Emphasizing this, he argued, "If the Constitution does not discriminate, basically, it makes no sense to be having an LGBTQ+ discussion, because the LGBTQ+ community is already covered by the Constitution as we have it today."

Related To This: Politicizing Anti-LGBTQ Bill Will Slow Down The Process - Majority To Minority

The workshop was deemed crucial to heighten awareness within the media space about the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and its potential implications for the public, particularly given the current low level of public understanding. Recognizing the influential role of the media in shaping public opinion, Mr. Akagbor stressed the strategic importance of engaging the media, highlighting its symbolic role in sensitizing the population.


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