The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, has called for parts of deliberations on the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill to be held behind closed doors to allow for frank and uninhibited discussions.

According to him, while the media may be permitted to cover preliminary proceedings, detailed clause-by-clause consideration of the bill should be conducted in private to prevent any form of intimidation and enable Members of Parliament to engage meaningfully.

Mr Anyimadu-Antwi made the remarks during a committee meeting held via Zoom, as Parliament begins public hearings on the proposed legislation today.

Parliament, through its Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, is expected to engage a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, legal experts, religious bodies and the general public, as part of efforts to gather diverse views on the bill.

The proposed legislation, which has sparked intense national debate, seeks to regulate LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in Ghana. It proposes up to three years’ imprisonment for individuals who identify as gay, and between five and ten years for persons who promote or advocate such activities.

Despite this, the bill has faced strong criticism from human rights groups, who argue that it undermines fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.

Mr Anyimadu-Antwi further emphasised that the bill must be treated as a new proposal and subjected to a comprehensive review process. He noted that the Committee will examine the bill clause by clause, receive memoranda from stakeholders and ensure broad consultations before making its recommendations to Parliament.

The public hearings are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the Committee’s final report and guiding Parliament’s next steps on the widely debated legislation.