Deputy Majority Leader withdraws proposed amendments to anti-gay bill

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Deputy Majority Leader withdraws proposed amendments to anti-gay bill
Alexander Afenyo-Markin

The Deputy Majority Leader in , Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has withdrawn his proposed amendments to the bill on the promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values. This decision follows the rejection of two of his proposals by the House, which sought to replace imprisonment with community service for individuals involved in LGBT activities.

Afenyo-Markin also retracted his new amendment, which aimed to mandate counseling on human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values as a post-conviction sentence.

The anti-gay bill has sparked controversy since its introduction in , with human rights groups arguing that it would infringe upon the rights of LGBT individuals in Ghana.

On February 8, Parliament approved a three-to-five-year jail term for those who intentionally promoted or sponsored + activities. Individuals caught engaging in such activities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years.

During the amendment process of the bill, Afenyo-Markin voiced concerns about the effectiveness of punitive measures in rehabilitating offenders. He highlighted the inadequate state of the country's prisons, emphasizing their inability to provide necessary rehabilitation services.

As an alternative to imprisonment, the lawmaker proposed replacing a minimum two-month prison sentence with a minimum one-month community service for individuals convicted of + activities.

The withdrawal of Afenyo-Markin's proposed amendments signifies ongoing debates and deliberations within Parliament regarding the treatment of LGBT issues in Ghanaian society.

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