Co-sponsor of the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, and other Minority Members of Parliament are strongly opposing attempts to introduce exemptions into the proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation for journalists, medical professionals, and other service providers.
The disagreement arose during parliamentary deliberations on clauses seeking to shield certain professional and routine activities from being classified as promotion of LGBTQ activities.
The proposed provisions would exempt journalists and media houses reporting on LGBTQ-related matters in the normal course of their work, as well as medical practitioners, counsellors, psychologists, and lawyers offering professional services to individuals identified as LGBTQ.
However, the MP for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, together with the MP for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, argued that these amendments would significantly weaken the bill and create loopholes for the promotion of LGBTQ activities.
Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh criticised the exemptions, saying they substantially alter the original bill presented in the previous Parliament.
“The new bill we wanted Akufo-Addo to pass is now exempting all these people under this clause, including NGOs, including academic publications and for science and medical opinions, including the report of news and current affairs by media houses or journalists in the ordinary course of journalism,” he argued.
He maintained that the proposed changes amount to watering down the bill’s original intent.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour also rejected the clauses, noting that they were not part of the original bill sponsored in the Eighth Parliament.
“The provision of medical, surgical, psychological or counselling services in accordance with accepted professional practice was not part of the bill you wanted Akufo-Addo to sign,” he said.
The Assin South MP further objected to exemptions for media reporting and public health interventions related to HIV and AIDS prevention, arguing they could indirectly support LGBTQ activities.
“That is not the law we sponsored in the 8th Parliament. That is not the law we are sponsoring today,” he declared.
He warned that the sponsors would fiercely resist any attempt to include the exemptions.
“I find it highly problematic, any attempt by this House to push any of these exceptions in. We will resist it,” he stated.
On the other hand, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the proposed amendments, arguing that they were necessary to narrowly define exemptions and prevent the criminalisation of legitimate professional duties.
He said the bill was not being diluted but clarified to avoid potential constitutional and legal challenges.
“I am convinced that no court would have tolerated the punishment of a lawyer who attempts to provide legal services in defense of a person practicing LGBTQ,” he said.
Mr Ayariga also argued that courts would likely strike down attempts to prosecute journalists or media organisations for reporting on LGBTQ-related matters.
He maintained that the core objectives of the legislation remain intact.
“This bill does two major things. One, this bill prohibits any practice of LGBTQ in this country. Two, this bill prohibits any advocacy of LGBTQ in this country,” he stated.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
