Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has voiced his opposition to an amendment proposed for the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill.

Despite his objections, Parliament has gone ahead and approved the amendment.

The approved amendment entails imposing a custodial sentence of up to six months on individuals who aid, facilitate, encourage, or promote LGBTQ activities. This amendment was put forward by co-sponsor of the bill, Sam George, who believes that stringent punishment is necessary to ensure compliance with the law once it is enacted.

Under the amended bill, currently in the consideration stage, those found guilty of promoting LGBTQ activities will face a minimum sentence of three months and a maximum of six months, or a fine ranging from GH₵600 to GH₵1200.

However, Mr. Afenyo-Markin is advocating for a shorter custodial sentence of not more than three months.

He argues that imprisonment not only imposes costs on the state but also cites studies suggesting that individuals often fare worse when they go to prison.

Also addressing parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin noted that, "we should rather look at one month and three months, instead of three months and six months. Yes, if the commensurate penalty unit cannot be defined within the context of the proposal which is two months and four months, then we should not go higher."

On fine, he added "the court has a position on sentencing. It's the reason why we have now introduced this plea bargain thing. The plea bargain in law that we have enacted is also aimed at dealing with some of these things. In even serious criminal matters if the person is ready to pay to deal with the issue of the time for the trial and all, and also depopulate our prisons.

"Even when people go to prison, they become worse off and a lot of studies have shown that."

He emphasized the importance of retaining the option of a fine, stating, "this parliament must not depart from that. So please colleagues, we cannot do away with a fine. And we should not attempt to say that merely being guilty of this should lead to imprisonment without an option for a fine. Let's be careful.”