Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-02-22 06:50:57
Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin was unsuccessful in his attempt to persuade Parliament to replace custodial sentences with non-custodial sentences in the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022.
The Effutu MP’s 12 proposed amendments, which aimed to promote the reformation of victims and practitioners of same-sex relationships, were voted against by the House, resulting in the loss of his advocacy.
During the second consideration of the controversial bill in Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin called for further consultation to ensure that the bill achieved its purpose of reformation rather than condemnation of victims and practitioners. He argued that the punitive sentencing regime of three to five years in jail if found guilty would not lead to the rehabilitation of the culprits.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin first moved his proposed amendments by stating that “the issue before us is behavioral, and it is my humble view that in dealing with behavioral matters, incarceration is not the solution. It makes the matter worse.” He firmly believed that jailing a person for their sexuality would not maintain Ghanaian family values or ensure proper human sexual rights.
While Mr. Afenyo-Markin expressed support for the object of the bill, he emphasized the need for unity in passing the bill and ensuring consensus among members of Parliament.
However, the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, expressed that the House had already gone beyond the stage of consultation and accused Mr. Afenyo-Markin of abusing the practice and procedure of the House.
The Speaker stressed the importance of the House continuing to consider and carry out its authorized duties, indicating that he could no longer extend grace for a delay in the processing of the bill.
When the first amendment was put to a voice vote, Mr. Afenyo-Markin was the sole voice supporting it, with the minority caucus opposing it with a ‘no’ vote.
Despite his belief that some of his colleagues supported his advocacy, Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s request for a secret ballot was not supported by the Standing Orders of the House, as it does not allow for secret votes in the consideration of bills.
In summation, Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s efforts to substitute custodial sentences with non-custodial sentences in the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022 were unsuccessful in Parliament, as his proposed amendments were voted against. The Speaker emphasized the importance of unity and consensus in passing the bill, and the House proceeded with its authorized duties.
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