The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has questioned the urgency with which Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, urging lawmakers to ensure that constitutional safeguards are fully respected before the legislation becomes law.

The bill, which was recently passed by Parliament, seeks to criminalise identifying as LGBTQ+ and imposes penalties on individuals found guilty of promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBTQ+ activities. The legislation is currently awaiting presidential assent from John Dramani Mahama.

Its passage has generated widespread public discussion, with some observers raising concerns about aspects of the legislative process and the speed with which the bill was approved.

Speaking on Ahotor FM on June 6, Mr. Koomson said he did not believe there was any pressing need to rush the legislation through Parliament, arguing that same-sex relationships have long been rejected by many segments of Ghanaian society.

According to him, the issue remains inconsistent with the beliefs and values held by many Ghanaians, including adherents of Christianity, Islam, and traditional African religions.

Despite his personal opposition to same-sex relationships, Mr. Koomson stressed the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures and ensuring that the rights of all citizens are protected.

He argued that Parliament must carefully scrutinise the legislation to ensure that it does not infringe on the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

The labour leader noted that due process is a cornerstone of democratic governance and should not be overlooked, regardless of the subject matter under consideration.

His comments come as President Mahama has indicated support for the objectives of the bill while expressing reservations about aspects of the procedure used during its passage.

The President has stated that the legislation will undergo further review before a final decision is made on whether to grant presidential assent.

The amended bill includes exemptions for legal practitioners, media professionals, and healthcare workers performing their professional duties in matters involving LGBTQ+ individuals.

The debate surrounding the legislation continues to attract attention from civil society groups, religious organisations, legal experts, and human rights advocates, making it one of the most closely watched pieces of legislation currently before the Presidency.