The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) has expressed concern over the process leading to the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQI Bill, urging Parliament to reconsider provisions it says were altered without adequate stakeholder engagement.
In a statement signed by its President, Hajj Abdel-Manan Abdel-Rahman, COMOG said it had followed recent developments surrounding the legislation with “deep concern,” particularly reports that the latest version of the Bill was passed without the extensive consultations that informed the earlier draft.
The coalition, which is a member of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, recalled its participation in consultations with Parliament and other stakeholders during the formulation of the original Bill.
According to COMOG, the earlier legislation emerged from broad consultations involving religious bodies, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, experts, and concerned citizens. It argued that any significant changes to the Bill should have been subjected to similar stakeholder engagement.
“Of particular concern is the reported removal of provisions intended to hold accountable individuals, organizations, and institutions that fund, promote, sponsor, facilitate, or advocate LGBTQI-related activities,” the statement said.
The coalition noted that the reported exclusion of such provisions raises questions about the effectiveness of the legislation in achieving its intended objectives.
COMOG also commended Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for what it described as his concerns regarding the process that led to the passage of the current version of the Bill.
The organisation referenced its previous engagement with the Speaker and noted that the Muslim community had honoured him with the “Saifullah” Award, meaning “The Sword of Allah,” in recognition of his commitment to what it described as Ghana’s moral, cultural, religious, and family values.
The coalition further expressed disappointment with both the governing and opposition sides in Parliament, arguing that while the previous majority was unable to secure presidential assent for the earlier Bill, the current majority had overseen a process that allegedly weakened some of its key provisions.
COMOG consequently called on members of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, faith-based organisations, traditional authorities, civil society groups, opinion leaders and the wider public to support calls for a reconsideration of the earlier version of the legislation and its key provisions.
The organisation maintained that the original Bill better reflected the views and values of many Ghanaians and provided a stronger legal framework for protecting family values and cultural traditions.
It urged that laws touching on moral, cultural and religious issues should be developed through broad consultation, transparency and consensus-building, adding that it remains committed to working with stakeholders to promote policies aimed at preserving family values, protecting future generations and strengthening national cohesion.
