US Vice President Kamala Harris visited Ghana from March 26 to March 29 as part of a trip to three African nations that also included Tanzania and Zambia.
Kamala Harris spoke with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during her visit to Ghana. The two then conducted a joint press conference at the government building.
The US vice president’s comments about the anti-LGBTQ+ bill that is now being debated in Ghana’s parliament, as well as her focus on the US government’s position on homosexuality, were among the news conference’s significant highlights.
She continued, “I will also say that this is an issue that we consider, and I consider to be a human rights issue, and that will not change. I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting the freedom and supporting the fighting for equality among all people, and that all people be treated equally.
In response, President Akufo-Addo described the bill’s current position and the procedures to become law.
According to the American media outlet CNN, about the precise remarks made by the two leaders, President Akufo-Addo hinted through his remarks that “the bill may end up being watered down.”
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill’s supporters, including Samuel Nartey George, a member of parliament for Ningo Prampram, responded to the speech in the report by calling it “draconian.”
Here is the complete CNN report:
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana stated that his administration’s intervention led to “significant portions” of a harsh anti-LGBTQ measure being discussed by the country’s parliament being “changed.”
At a news conference held on Monday with US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is visiting the country of West Africa, Akufo-Addo revealed the information.
He emphasized that the proposed legislation, disguised as “family values,” which seeks to enact some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws on the African continent, was a private members’ bill and not legislation introduced by his administration. In August 2021, the bill was initially introduced in the legislature.
The parliament is considering the bill. Regarding the legitimacy of a number of its provisions, the attorney general felt it necessary to address the committee (the constitutional and legal committee of parliament). The legislature is addressing it. I will enter at the conclusion of the procedure, the Ghanaian leader remarked.
The president will be sent the final measure for approval after parliamentary discussion.
From to what I gather, the attorney general’s involvement caused significant portions of the law to already be adjusted, Akufo-Addo remarked.
Akufo-Addo added that he was confident the parliament would take into account the sensitivity of the bill to human rights issues as well as the sentiments of the Ghanaian population “and come out with a responsible response” when he said that the bill might end up being weakened during the amendment process.