Peace council runs away from LGBTQ+ Bill passage

According to the chairman of the Peace Council, the council has not taken a stance on the controversial LGBTQI+ bill and its passage by Parliament.

Rev. Dr. Adu-Gyamfi further added that, it is imperative that the National Peace Council remains neutral in order to give and fair critic to the discussion, adding that there should be a dispassionate conversation about the subject matter.

Rev. Dr. Adu-Gyamfi said, “we don’t have a position on the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill because we are mediators, we don’t take sides on issues like this. There are several issues that have come to us that people expected us to take sides, but realized it was important to remain neutral when they later came for conflict resolution. We are waiting to see how things will unfold, so we know whether to mediate or intervene in the event of a conflict.”

Speaking on TV3, the chairman for the National Peace Council urged the general public to exercise restraints as the council continues to monitor the situation on the ground.

On February 28, 2024, Parliament approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024, which criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities, as well as their promotion, advocacy, and funding by any group or persons.

The charges prescribed by the bill includes jail terms which spans between 6 months and 3 years while those promoting and sponsoring the act could face a jail term between 3 to 5 years.

The passage of the bill erupted rigorous conversations among the general public with several persons expressing their mixed feelings about it

Chief amongst them is the United States Ambassador, Virginia Evelyn Palmer and Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, the chairperson of the Centre for Democratic Development.