Ghana denounces “undemocratic” interference by the United States – RT Africa
Speaker of Parliament says Vice Speaker Kamala Harris’ remarks on LGBT laws should not be tolerated
Ghana intends to pass its Family Values Act regardless of what the United States says, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has told lawmakers. He criticized comments by US Vice President Kamala Harris, who this week kicked off her African tour in Ghana, as anti-democratic pressure.
“These things should not be tolerated. It’s undemocratic! What is democracy ? That someone else would have to tell me what’s right and what’s wrong? Never seen!” Bagbin said on Tuesday during a meeting with lawmakers to discuss the bill, titled “Promotion of Appropriate Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values”.
During a joint press conference with President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday, Harris did not directly address the bill, but said LGBT rights were “an issue that we view as a human rights issue, and that will not change.”
Last week, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters in the White House that LGBT rights were “something that is at the heart of our foreign policy, and will remain so.”
Bagbin told Ghanaian lawmakers that they “we must legislate” and should not fear external pressures. “Don’t be intimidated by anyone” he said. “What are you afraid of, if you have everyone behind you? If God is with you, who can be against you?
Last week, Uganda’s parliament approved a law that “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by death, and “recruitment, promotion and financing” homosexual “activities” with up to life in prison.
Ghana’s proposal would make same-sex conduct a second-degree felony, punishable by three to five years in prison, with those promoting activities prohibited under the bill facing 5 to 10 years behind bars.“The bill will be passed” Bagbin told lawmakers. He also reminded President Akufo-Addo that his job was to enforce laws, not legislate himself.
“It’s a word to His Excellency the President – there’s no way he can interfere,” he said. “Let’s be clear: once this bill is before us, it is no longer responsible. I am in charge.”
Harris arrived in Accra on Sunday evening, on the first leg of the trip which would also take her to Tanzania and Zambia. The White House said its visit would focus on democracy, climate change, security, the economy and the conflict in Ukraine. The United States has also pledged $100 million in aid to Ghana and neighboring Benin, Togo, Guinea and Ivory Coast.
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