Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, has indirectly condemned the anti-LGBTQ bill formally known as Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill currently before Parliament.

In a joint presser with President Akufo-Addo on Monday, the US Vice President noted that she supports freedom and the equality of all including the LGBTQ community, a position the anti-LGBTQ does not support.

According to Kamala Harris, LGBTQ rights is human rights per her understanding and belief.

In response to a question posed by a New York Times journalist on the current bill, she said: "A great deal of my work has been on human right issues and equality across board including the LGBTQ community. I believe strongly in the supporting the freedom and providing equality on all people and that all people be treated equally. I will also say that this is an issue I consider to be a human rights issue and that will not change."

The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was introduced in July 2021 in Parliament by eight MPs as a private bill.

The eight are Sam Nartey George (MP, Ningo-Prampram), Emmanuel Bedzrah (MP, Ho West) Della Adjoa Sowah (MP, Kpando), John Ntim Fordjour (MP, Assin South), Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini (MP, Tamale North), Helen Adjoa Ntoso (MP, Krachi West), Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP, La Dadekotopon) and Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor (MP, South Dayi).

It has been close to two years and Parliament is still considering the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values 2021 which will amongst other things, prohibit advocacy of same-sex or homosexual practices in the Country.

International organizations have raised concerns that the Bill could infringe on the rights of LGBTQ+ persons who are a minority group in the country.

United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer has advised Ghanaians and their representatives in Parliament to respect international obligations and Domestic laws which centre on the need to protect the rights of all persons, irrespective of their sexual orientation.

MP for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, believes otherwise. He says LGBTQ rights does not qualify as human rights.

Speaker Alban Bagbin, on the matter, has indicated that “the sexual rights and human values Bill that is being handled by the committee will definitely be passed before the next elections."

Source: The Independent Ghana