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Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu has revealed plans to present recommendations on the contentious LGBTQ Bill to President John Dramani Mahama. Although the specific details of these suggestions remain undisclosed, Iddrisu assured that the proposals aim to align with Ghana’s laws and national interests while fostering consensus around the bill.
Speaking ahead of the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving event at the National Mosque on January 10, 2025, the lawmaker stated:
“I have some ideas on the LGBTQ, but I am yet to share them with the president as to how he can re-own the bill, get national consensus around it, and be consistent with the laws of Ghana and the constitution.
“There is a way to deal with it. Commenting here will mean that I am reducing it to a religious matter, but indeed it is a social problem of our country that collectively we have to deal with and solve,” he added.
The LGBTQ Bill: A Divisive Issue
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to criminalize activities related to LGBTQ advocacy in Ghana. If enacted, it would impose penalties on individuals promoting or funding LGBTQI-related activities and those offering indirect support.
Proponents argue the bill is necessary to safeguard Ghanaian cultural and family values, which they believe are under threat from foreign ideologies. However, critics, including human rights organizations, have denounced the proposed legislation as an infringement on fundamental human rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and equality under the law.
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Ruling
The bill has faced legal challenges questioning its constitutional validity. Broadcast journalist Richard Dela Sky and Dr. Amanda Odoi separately petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing that the bill’s passage violated Articles 102 and 104 of the constitution, which outline quorum requirements for legislative processes.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed these petitions, stating that a bill cannot be challenged on constitutional grounds until it becomes law. Justice Lovelace Johnson clarified:
“Until a bill receives presidential assent, it does not constitute an enactment subject to judicial review of its constitutionality.”
This ruling underscores the court’s position that legislative processes are immune to constitutional scrutiny until they result in enforceable laws.
A Call for Consensus
Iddrisu’s planned recommendations come at a critical juncture in the debate over the LGBTQ Bill. By advocating for a collaborative approach, he emphasizes the need to address the issue as a national, rather than solely religious or political, matter. His proposals may pave the way for a resolution that balances cultural values with Ghana’s constitutional framework.
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