*ACCRA, Greater Accra Region* — Walewale MP Hon. Dr. Kabiru says Parliament’s passage of a “watered down” anti-LGBTQ bill is a mark of “double standard and hypocrisy,” arguing the new version fails to criminalize advocacy and will not achieve what Ghanaians demanded.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Kabiru said he and other MPs sponsored the bill out of “moral need and constitutional duty” after Ghanaians came to a “firm and definite conclusion” to outlaw lesbianism, gay, transgender and related activities. He expressed shock that the bill passed by Parliament differs “dramatically in content, form and shape” from the version he co-sponsored.
The MP accused the majority of hypocrisy, noting the same leaders were in Parliament when the original bill’s provisions on advocacy were included. “Is that an admission that they were sending a bad law to the former president to sign?” he asked. He said if government admits the old bill was flawed, then the former president deserves an apology before any new discussion on merit.
Dr. Kabiru also criticized the legislative process and presidential comments on quorum. He said the President’s doubts about quorum suggest he is “not comfortable with the bill,” yet it was pushed through by the President’s own leader in Parliament and first deputy speaker. “That kind of talk… tells you that look… this government only did policy with the bill,” he stated.
He warned the weakened bill will not criminalize advocacy that “embolden the activity of LGBT in the country,” and could be easily struck down by courts as unconstitutional. Dr. Kabiru said he prays the current version is “timeless” so Ghanaians can get a “real bill” that reflects what the people want.
Parliament recently passed the bill and sent it for presidential assent after the Speaker recalled it.
