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The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, is happy that the contentious anti-LGBTQ+ law was just approved, according to a representative for him.
On February 28, 2024, the anti-LGBTQ+ bill was enacted by Parliament following nearly three years of debate.
The measure requires anyone who identify as LGBTQ+ to serve sentences of up to three years in jail. It also sets a five-year jail sentence as a maximum for advocacy or financial assistance from LGBTQ+ organizations.
Several civil society organizations including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) have expressed concern about this and other bill provisions, claiming that they violate basic human rights.
Still, Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu feels that the bill’s passing is a step in the right direction.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on March 2, the Chief Imam’s spokesman, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, said that the news thrilled the Muslim community since the law will protect family values.
“I can say without any equivocation that the Chief Imam is gleefully joyful about the passing of this bill because he has fully been briefed about what we are going through with respect to the evolvement of this LGBTQ+ phenomenon in our country and the attempt to really universalise it and make it something normal and something acceptable,” he said.
“And as somebody who is the leader of Muslims in this country, he could not actually give any support to such matter to be allowed.
“For us, it is a moral issue, it is something that also goes to the very heart of the protection of the family which in the Muslim understanding of things is the property of God. It is the smallest unit of society into which every single human being is born.”
He emphasized that they would not condone any behavior that was harmful to the family unit.
“Any behavior that aims to jeopardize a family’s ability to survive must be firmly denounced. It is repugnant, disgusting, and repulsive in our opinion. Thus, Chief Imam is overjoyed,” he said.
He commended the legislators for their steadfast support in the face of several oppositions and legal challenges the bill faced.
In response to criticism that the measure infringes on fundamental human rights, the spokesman stated that laws are passed to promote society and that any legislation that jeopardizes social harmony must be repealed.
The Anti-Gay Bill, also called as the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was passed by Parliament on February 28.
Different parties have responded to this in different ways, including the diplomatic community.
In a brief to President Akufo-Addo on March 4, the Ministry of Finance warned of the grave consequences of signing the Bill.
However, before taking any further action on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill enacted by Parliament, President Akufo-Akufo-Addo advised all stakeholders to wait for the outcome of the case that has been filed in the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen.
The President said that it would be appropriate to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision in light of this recent development.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
