Proper Human Rights and Family Values Coalition calls for decisive action on LGBTQI Bill

The National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values has called on government to speed up action on the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, expressing concern over the continued delay and uncertainty surrounding the bill. 

It advised against the politicisation of the bill, stressing the need for a collective national resolve.

Addressing a press conference in Accra last Tuesday, October 28, the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, Moses Foh-Amoaning, said the faith-based coalition made up of Christian Council, the Catholic Secretariat, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and representatives of the Office of the National Chief Imam, expected the government to act in accordance with the will of the citizens.

He stated that the group had also engaged members from both sides of Parliament, including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, the MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, and MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah, and had received bipartisan assurances that they would support the passage of the bill.

Resilience

Mr Foh-Amoaning urged the government to remain firm in the face of what  he described as foreign pressure over the passage of the bill.

He said the government must not be swayed by threats of sanctions or the withdrawal of financial support from international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or UNESCO.

“Ghana should not be cowed by any foreign institutions or personnel or anybody whatsoever.

Ghanaians are a proud people. It is not for nothing that we were the first country south of the Sahara to gain independence,” he stated.

He dismissed suggestions that passing the bill could lead to economic consequences, and cited reports of a proposed $500 million loan offer from UNESCO.

“Let UNESCO keep their money. Let Bill Gates and George Soros keep their money because the soul of this country will reject any money that comes into this country on the pretext that we should not uphold our moral values,” he said.

He added that the country was blessed with gold, now selling at $4,000 an ounce and immense natural wealth, which it could tap to cater for any financial need. Expressing confidence in the President’s leadership, he said he believed the President would not yield to international pressure, and urged Ghanaians to stand firm in defence of the nation’s moral and cultural values.

Mr Foh-Amoaning said for instance,  the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Prof. Nana Aba Appiah-Amfo’s, refusal to respond to a letter  the coalition wrote to her to rescind the university’s decision to embrace gender inclusivity beyond the traditional male and female categories,  had emboldened other universities to follow the same path,  stating that “things were done without considering the potential legal and social implications of implementing such as a policy.”

Meeting with the President

Touching on efforts to engage the Presidency, Mr Foh-Amoaning disclosed that since last January, the coalition had written to request an audience with the President to present its position formally.

While acknowledging that the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, had met with them and promised a meeting, he said the engagement was yet to happen.

He appealed to the Chief of Staff and the President’s Secretary, Dr Callistus Mahama, to ensure that arrangements were made for the coalition to meet the President and present the views of Ghanaians on the bill.

 A call for prayer, action

As part of its advocacy, the Executive Secretary said the Coalition had also designed a nationwide prayer initiative, with a unified prayer message to be used across churches and mosques.

They believe prayer can serve as a spiritual shield for the nation as they seek divine guidance on the matter.

“At the end of the day, sovereignty resides in Ghanaians, but ultimate sovereignty belongs to God,” Foh-Amoaning said. Referencing Article 1 of the 1992 Constitution, he stressed that ultimate power resided in the people, highlighting that governmental authority given to the President and Parliament was only “delegated power.”