The National Communications Director of the United Plus Party (UP+), Mr. Solomon Owusu, has defended provisions within the proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation that seek to exempt professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and media practitioners from prosecution when carrying out their lawful duties.
Speaking on the BlueWaves Breakfast Show, Mr. Owusu explained that the legislation is not intended to criminalize professional responsibilities performed within the framework of the law, but rather to target acts of advocacy and promotion of LGBTQ activities.
According to him, Ghana’s constitutional principles guarantee every accused person the right to legal representation, regardless of the allegations leveled against them. He argued that lawyers defending individuals accused of engaging in LGBTQ activities should not be interpreted as promoting LGBTQ practices.
“What is the difference?” he questioned during the discussion. “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. If someone is accused of being LGBTQ, that person still has a constitutional right to legal counsel. A lawyer defending such a person in court cannot be said to be promoting LGBTQ activities simply because they are performing their professional duty.”
Mr. Owusu further explained that the same legal reasoning applies to healthcare professionals. He noted that medical doctors providing treatment, surgeries, counselling, or clinical care to persons accused of practicing or promoting LGBTQ activities should not be criminalized for operating within the confines of their profession.
“When medical doctors perform surgeries or provide counselling and medical advice, that should not amount to advocacy,” he stated. “The law recognizes that professionals acting within the ethics and responsibilities of their work cannot be imprisoned for doing their jobs.”
He stressed that these exemptions are necessary to protect constitutional rights and professional integrity while still allowing the law to address what proponents describe as the promotion of LGBTQ practices in Ghana.
Touching on the political dimensions surrounding the controversial bill, Mr. Owusu accused some political actors of using the issue for political advantage rather than demonstrating genuine commitment to its passage.
He argued that political parties that campaigned heavily on passing the anti-LGBTQ bill but failed to secure presidential assent may have difficulties convincing Ghanaians to renew their mandate in future elections.
“They promised to pass the LGBTQ bill, but if they fail to do so, Ghanaians will ask questions,” he said.
Mr. Owusu expressed confidence that former President John Dramani Mahama would assent to the bill should it be passed during his administration. However, he added that if that does not happen, the UP+ and its presidential hopeful Alan Kyerematen remain committed to ensuring the legislation becomes law.
“We are expecting President Mahama to sign it. But if he fails, we can assure the people of this country that when Alan Kyerematen leads the United Party and is sworn in as President on January 7, 2029, by January 8 he will sign it into law,” he declared.
The debate surrounding Ghana’s proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation continues to generate intense national discussion, particularly on issues concerning human rights, constitutional freedoms, professional ethics, and the role of political leadership in addressing cultural and moral concerns.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7Fm| Maurice Duncan | Bolgatanga
