Muntaka Mubarak, the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Asawase, has warned foreign embassies in Ghana that any effort to victimize Ghanaian MPs over the passage of the LGBTQI+ law will result in the embassy’s closure.
The MP claimed in an interview on Kumasi-based Abusua FM on Thursday that the Minority in Parliament will organize rallies to demand the closure of embassies that have victimized MPs as a result of the bill’s passage.
He also stated that no amount of intimidation will prevent the bill from being passed by Parliament.
“If we discover any embassy that is using this [the bill’s passage] to deny MPs visas, we will have a rally to shut that embassy down,” he added.
Following proposals for the passage of a measure banning homosexual community activities, LGBTQI+ has been a topic of discussion.
Eight Members of Parliament have signed on to the measure, which has been presented before Parliament.
Following the push for the anti-gay measure to be passed, there have been rumors that certain embassies may target people from nations that oppose homosexual rights.
In reaction to such comments, the Asawase MP shared the view that no country has the power to impose its culture on others, thus, denying people entry into countries over their opposition to the activities of the LGBTQI+ community will not be in the right direction.
He has, therefore, cautioned countries to be circumspect about their dealings with others over the issue since any action that will not be in favor of persons in support of the bill, will trigger a similar reaction.
“No country can dictate to us. If they dare deny any of our MPs visas based on this, we will also ensure that nobody from their countries gets entry visas to Ghana,” he said.
“They can deny us grants based on this, we can’t force them not to. But when they say our MPs can’t visit their country based on this, we will also ensure that nobody from their country enters our country,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has suggested that the Executive, through the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame could sponsor the anti-LGBT bill, instead of the current approach of its being laid before parliament through private members.
Speaking to Joy News he said when this is done, it will forestall possible legal challenges against the bill when passed into law.
