Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the 2024 general elections, has stated that the signing of the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill will be automatic once it passes through the Supreme Court.
Bawumia made this declaration during an engagement with the media on Sunday, August 25.
The bill, officially known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, was passed by Parliament on February 28. It seeks to proscribe LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana and criminalize the promotion, advocacy, and funding of such activities.
Under the bill, individuals engaging in LGBTQ+ activities could face imprisonment for six months to three years, while promoters and sponsors could face jail terms ranging from three to five years.
However, the bill’s passage has been met with legal challenges, and it is currently under review by the Supreme Court. Critics argue that certain provisions of the bill may be inconsistent with Ghana’s constitution, prompting the need for judicial scrutiny.
Addressing the ongoing legal process, Dr. Bawumia emphasised that once the Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of the bill, there will be no hesitation in moving forward with its enactment.
“The bill [anti-lgbt bill] is before the Supreme Court right now and I think once the Supreme Court brings it, I think there are certain challenges that have been made to say that it is not consistent with the constitution.
“Of course, we will wait for it to come. Once it is out of the Supreme Court and they declare it as constitutional, I believe that signing is automatic. No ifs and no buts,” he stated.
