We’re Prepared to Face ‘Big 18’ in Court - Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Advocates
'Big 18' civil society groups, who plan to file a lawsuit if President Akufo-Addo passes the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law, are preparing for a potential judicial battle with proponents of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill.
The 'Big 18' have fiercely protested the law, claiming that it infringes upon Ghana's rich religious and cultural diversity. The bill aims to make LGBTQI+ activities illegal in Ghana; offenders might face up to three years in prison and those who encourage them could face up to five years in prison.
Tensions have increased since Parliament unanimously approved the anti-LGBTQ+ measure on February 28 after nearly three years of debate. MPs blocked attempts to replace jail terms with community work and therapy.
Audrey Gadzekpo, Board Chair of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development and a member of the Coalition, emphasized their readiness to challenge the bill in court. However, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, the MP for Ho West and a proponent of the bill, expressed confidence in facing any legal action.
"We are prepared since the inception of this bill in 2021. We've had so many opposition from the likes of Audrey Gadzekpo, Takyiwaa Manuh, Akoto Ampaw, and others who stood against this bill. Thankfully, we passed it," Bedzrah stated, underscoring their readiness.
In an interview with JoyNews, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo stated that the groups would present arguments to President Akufo-Addo urging him not to assent to the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. She voiced disappointment in Parliament's decision to move forward with the bill, likening it to colonial-era laws like criminal libel.
"It's an obnoxious bill. It's kind of like criminal libel, which the colonialists introduced, and we retained it. And it was used improperly against people, including journalists. We will come to find that this is like that," Gadzekpo remarked.
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