Deputy minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin moves to arrest passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill as he requests amendment to replace custodial sentences with community service.
According to him, the incarceration of persons convicted under the anti-gay bill will be counter-productive.
Afenyo-Markin however indicated he in principle is not against the legislation but wants an amendment to only the clause on punishment. He urged the house not to go the Ugandan way.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has asked for the bill to be taken through third reading which would have meant a passage before the deputy majority leader rose to move his motion for a return to the second consideration stage.
Minority chief whip Governs Agbodza in a response accused the Effutu MP of repeating the same arguments he did during the consideration stage.
According to the lawmaker, the proposal has been voted upon and rejected at that stage.
MP for South Dayi and a sponsor of the bill Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor asked the deputy majority leader to be specific in his proposed amendment to the bill.
Abuakwa South MP Samuel Atta Akyea supported the proposal of the Effutu MP for a relook at incarceration of convicted homosexuals.
Ningo-Prampram MP and lead sponsor of the bill Samuel Nartey George asked for a determination to be made on the status of the motion by the deputy majority leader for the house to consider and vote on.
The Speaker disclosed the Effutu MP per the motion filed wanted as many as 13 clauses of the Bill amended.
The motion for the bill to be taken through a second consideration stage which was seconded by Ho West MP and a sponsor of Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah was consequently carried.
The bill is therefore currently undergoing a second consideration stage.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ibrahim Alhassan
