*ACCRA, Greater Accra Region* — Walewale MP Hon. Dr. Kabiru says he is “utterly disgusted” and “scandalized” by Parliament’s passage of a “watered down” version of the anti-LGBTQ bill, arguing it has been stripped of key provisions and will not achieve its goal of criminalizing related activities.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Kabiru said he joined other MPs to sponsor the bill based on a “moral need and constitutional duty” after Ghanaians came to a “firm and definite conclusion” to outlaw lesbianism, gay, transgender and related activities. The bill was reintroduced after the previous version lapsed without presidential assent.
However, Dr. Kabiru expressed disappointment that the bill passed by Parliament differs “dramatically in content, form and shape” from the version he sponsored. He said significant provisions were “laminated” and the effect of the law watered down.
“My expectation is that Parliament has not significantly changed… so to have found that the bill has changed significantly by the elimination of a lot of provisions… I couldn’t be more disappointed,” he stated.
The MP also criticized the legislative process, saying it was not “watertight.” He warned that a weak bill could be easily struck down by the courts as unconstitutional. “Our goal is not to fulfill a political promise. The essence of the bill is to ensure it is implemented and effective… This current bill does not address that,” Dr. Kabiru said.
Parliament recently passed the bill and sent it for presidential assent after it was recalled by the Speaker.
