General News of Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

No attempt whatsoever is being made by me to stall anti-LGBT bill - Afenyo-Markin

Alex Afenyo Markin, Member of the Parliament of Ghana for the Effutu constituency Alex Afenyo Markin, Member of the Parliament of Ghana for the Effutu constituency

The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has refuted allegations that he is attempting to delay the passage of the anti-LGBT bill.

He emphasised that his stance was to propose an amendment to replace imprisonment, as proposed in the bill, with community service.

During a session in the House on Wednesday, he stated, “Mr Speaker, I need to emphasise that no attempt whatsoever is being made by me to stall this important bill; however, I want us to pass the bill not as a divided house but as a house which built consensus on this critical bill. So, if my colleagues will grant that prayer, we will have the opportunity to do what I seek to do.”

Instead, Afenyo-Markin explained his desire for the bill to be passed with consensus, indicating that his aim is for the House to unite in its decision.

Last week, Afenyo-Markin filed a motion for a second consideration of the bill, proposing an amendment to replace imprisonment with community service.

As a result, the House proceeded with amending approximately thirteen clauses of the bill during a session held on Wednesday, February 21.

At Wednesday’s sitting, a question was put before the House if they were in favour of the proposed amendment, but the ‘nays’ had it.

Based on this, the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, instructed Afenyo-Markin to withdraw a similar proposed amendment, which he did.

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