Man Banished From Community Over Alleged LGBTQ Status

…As Parliament Unanimously Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

A 42-year-old man, is currently on the run for his life, after he received several death threats and subsequently banished from the community over his alleged Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) status.

Sadat Asif, a resident of Effiduase in the Ashanti region, was said to have been ostracized by a local Imam in the community, due to his alleged involvement in the LGBTQ activities and has been discovered as a bisexual.

Asif, was said to have been summoned before Imam Saeed Abdul Nasir on November 2, 2022, following suspicion of his LGBTQ status.

Residents told The Anchor, Asif was nearly lynched some time back by some teeming Muslim youth in the community, after they found out Asif is a bisexual.

Imam Admits  

When contacted, Imam Abdul Nasir, justified the decision to expel Asif from the community.

“Asif is a disgrace to our community, Islam and his family. In the time of Prophet Lut, Allah (God) brought curse upon the people and destroyed the entire nation. We want to stand on the side of history; the world must bear testimony that we expressed angst and disquiet against social disorder and sacrilege,” he stated.

According to Imam Abdul Nasir, “Allah will punish all of us if we fail to stand up to the nonsense of these LGBTQ under the guise of civilization”.

A family source, who pleaded anonymity, also confirmed and corroborated the story to The Anchor in an interview on Monday.

Until the event of November 22, the source said, the family were not aware that their son, had both male and female sex partners.

The victim, who is currently at his hideout for fear of his life, has had his room broken into by the rowdy youth.

Some names such as Awudu, Mustapha and Baba, were given as the alleged suspects who broke into Asif’s room in his absence.

He said in the past, people who openly declare themselves as LGBTQ, suffered stiffer punishments.

Insiders told The Anchor, the activities of LGBQT were hated in the community, as they go contrary to the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Passed 

This development comes at the time Ghana’s Parliament, after nearly three years of deliberation, finally passed the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

The bill, introduced in the House three years ago, was approved unanimously on Wednesday, February 28, following the completion of the third reading.

Proposed amendments to the bill were rejected by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, during the session.

The bill is now slated to be forwarded to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.

The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, withdrew several proposed amendments to the bill on February 21.

However, during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, Afenyo-Markin, reiterated his stance on the bill, expressing opposition to certain provisions.

He argued against measures that could prevent individuals or groups from providing support to vulnerable members of society.

Afenyo-Markin, emphasized the importance of aligning the bill with constitutional imperatives, stating, “You cannot — let’s not be too emotional about this; let’s be consistent.” He further highlighted the need to uphold human rights within the legislation.

However, the National Democratic Congress MP for Akatsi South constituency, Bernard Ahiafor, opposed the amendments raised by the Majority Leader.

According to him, the amendments proposed by Mr Afenyo-Markin, are prohibiting funding, promoting, and facilitating the activities of LGBTQ, which the bill seeks to proscribe.

“Mr Speaker, we’re not discriminating; we’re proscribing using your money to fund and promote activities which will become illegal after the passage of this particular law. So, I don’t agree with him subjecting it to the provision of the constitution.”

Contrarily, the NPP MP for Adansi-Asokwa constituency, Kobina Tahir (K.T) Hammond, emphasized that Parliament must be careful not to offend the tenets of the constitution.

He pointed out that the Majority Leader, understands the importance of the LGBTQ documents and has come up with a proposed amendment to the bill.

“The Majority Leader is saying that if it is accepted, that the 10 and the 11 should be read in subject to the constitution, what is the difficulty in subjecting the 12? I find it very difficult to comprehend with what they are talking about.”

In response to these arguments, the Speaker of Parliament proposed the deferring of further consideration of the bill, citing Parliament’s provision, Order 172(4), which states a motion of the Third reading shall not be made on the same day as the Second reading.

The passage of the bill was not without controversy. According to Joy News Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwaku Asante, the session witnessed unexpected drama.

Typically, after the Consideration Stage, the House must wait a day before moving on to the Third Reading.

However, following another round of amendments proposed by Sam George and others, Muntaka Mubarak, MP for Asawase, moved a motion to suspend this rule.

Despite opposition from the Majority Leader, the motion to suspend the rules was carried, allowing the House to proceed to the Third Reading.

The Speaker declined Afenyo-Markin’s request to propose further amendments to the bill.

Source:Anchorghana.com