[ 2021-02-28 ]

It is time for us to legislate to put LGBTQI+ issues to sleep – Joyce Bawah
An aide to former President John Mahama has called
on government and relevant stakeholders to enact
laws that will deal with issues relating to
Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer and
Intersex (LGBTQI+) in the country.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari who was speaking on Joy
News’ Newsfile Saturday, noted that issues
concerning LGBTQI+ have been sidelined for far too
long.



Thus, time has come for the nation to legislate
the act to clearly indicate its stance.


“I think it is time for us to stop paying
lip-service to that matter. It is time for the
executive, legislature, and key stakeholders to
come together and find a way to put this matter to
sleep.

“I think the only way is to find a way either
through public policy, through legislation,
through enactment whatever [to deal with the
LGBTQI+ issue],” she told Newsfile host Samsom
Lardy.

Commenting on the Criminal Offence Act that frowns
on unnatural carnal knowledge, the Aide said, the
legislation is not “cast and iron”.

In her view, the Act as stipulated by the law can
be interpreted interchangeably, as such, reviewing
the law which will clearly state what is wrong or
right on the matter will bring the whole issue to
a close.



“Our constitution grants us all sorts of
freedoms on the basis of religion, creed, gender,
and what have you so that definitely has a certain
wide connotation.

“So we cannot necessarily go into the minds of
the framers of that particular portion of the
legislation and find out why they arrived at this
conclusion. So I think certainly, it is time for
us to end the debate and put it to rest.”

Discussion on LGBTQ+ was revived after advocates
of the group commissioned their office space at an
unknown location in the country.

During the recent ministerial vetting, some
minister-designates were questioned about their
views on the subject.

The Minister-Designate for Gender, Madam Adwoa
Safo said during vetting that the illegality of
homosexuality is non-negotiable.

“The issue of LGBTQI is an issue that when
mentioned creates some controversy but what I want
to say is that our laws are clear on such
practices. It makes it criminal.”

“On the issue of its criminality, it is
non-negotiable on the issue of cultural acceptance
and norms too. These practices are also frowned
upon,” she stated emphatically.

The minister-designate for information, Kojo
Oppong Nkrumah further suggested the need for a
law to ban LGBTQI advocacy in the country.

For the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Minister-designate, Ebenezer Kum said he was
against LGBTQ+ and will urge cabinet not to
encourage it.

Source - Joyfm

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