Prof Atuguba, Akoto Ampaw among influential Ghanaians opposing anti-gay bill

A group of 18 top lawyers and academics have launched a campaign to kick against an anti LGBT+ bill initiated by some six Members of Parliament.

The bill, by and large, seeks to prosecute persons who engage in homosexuality.

Law Professor, Raymond Atuguba and popular legal practitioner, Akoto Ampaw, are among a group of advocates opposing the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.”

They believe that when the law is passed, it will infringe on fundamental human rights enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

The group said at a press conference held in Accra on Monday, October 4, 2021, that their advocacy is not about the right or wrong nature of homosexuality, but they were concerned about the bill infringing on human rights.

Members of the group include Mr Akoto Ampaw, Professor Emerita Takyiwaaa Manuh, Communication Specialist, Professor Kwame Karikari, Professor Kofi Gyimah-Boadi, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo of the Department of Communication Studies, and Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies- University of Ghana, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, Dr Yao Graham, Professor Dzodzi Tsikata and Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh of Centre of Democratic Development (CDD).

Others are former Secretary-General of the Trades Unions Congress (TUC), Mr Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Dr Kojo Asante, Mr Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, Mr Akunu Dake, Mr Tetteh Hormeku-Ajie, the Dean of Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Professor Raymond Atuguba, Dr Charles Wereko -Brobby, Dr Joseph Asunka and Nana Ama Agyemang Asante.

“The bill violates virtually all the key fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the constitution, namely the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to assemble, freedom of association and the right to organise, the right to freedom from discrimination and the right to human dignity,” Mr Ampaw said.