Prof Gadzekpo explains why she and 14 others decided to oppose anti-gay bill
Astute academician and former Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo has strongly defended her reason for opposing the Hon Sam George led ‘’Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian family values bill 2021.’’
She stated that as a promoter of human rights, she was alarmed by the bill and feared it would encourage witch hunting and parliament of all places should not be promoting things like that.
This she said steered up the need for her and her colleagues being the likes of law Professor Raymond Atuguba, lawyer Akoto Ampaw, Prof Emerita Takyiwaa Manuh, Professor Kwame Karikari, Professor Gyimah Boadi, Dr Rose Menhsah-Kutin, Dr Yao Graham, Professor Dzodzi Tsikata, and Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh of the Centre for Democratic Development to oppose the bill.
Others signatories who also support her cause include Mr Kwasi Adu Amankwah, former Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress ,Dr Kojo Asante, Mr Kigsley Ofei Nkansah ,Mr Akunu Dake ,Mr Tetteh Hormeku- Ajie, Dr Charles Wereku Brobbey ,Dr Joseph Asunka and Nana Ama Agyeman Asante.
They have drafted a counter Memorandum to the select committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs enumerating reasons why the promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values should not be given the needed attention in parliament .
According to Prof Gadzekpo, she and her colleagues are fellow promoters of human rights and they agree about the fact that the Sam George led anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) bill is unconstitutional in its provisions and inhumane as well.
She wondered what defines proper sexual human rights and which law in Ghana is against gays. “The closest they can get to is unnatural canal knowledge and this law is not restricted to only gays,’’ she said
Acknowledging her firm support for peoples right to embrace their identity hence her decision to oppose the anti-gay bill.
Sam George, an MP for Ningo-Prampram led some group of MPs to draft a bill which is currently before Parliament seeking to outlaw the activities of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queer and Intersex in the country as well as proposing stiffer punishment for persons who promote their [LGBTQI+] activities in the country.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
