Rev. Dr. Eric Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Peace Council, has clarified the role of his outfit regarding the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, emphasizing their position as impartial mediators.
He stated that the National Peace Council has not taken a stance on the bill and serves as a mediator on matters concerning it. Despite being approached by stakeholders on the issue, they have maintained neutrality and are closely monitoring the situation.
“We don’t have a position on the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill because we are mediators, we don’t take sides on issues like this. There are several issues that have come to us that people expected us to take sides, but realized it was important to remain neutral when they later came for conflict resolution. We are waiting to see how things will unfold, so we know whether to mediate or intervene in the event of a conflict,” the Chairman of the National Peace Council said
On February 28, 2024, Parliament approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024, criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities, promotion, advocacy, and funding. Offenders could face jail terms ranging from 6 months to 3 years, while sponsors and promoters could face 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment.
The bill’s passage has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Evelyn Palmer.
As of now, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has yet to assent to the bill, adding further complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana.
