Lead advocate of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, Moses Foh-Amoaning, has suggested that converting the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill into a public bill will help clear doubts about cost implications and legal technicalities.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, Foh-Amoaning said the ongoing debate about funding and implementation has created unnecessary confusion that could be resolved if the government takes full ownership of the process.
“This bill was not just brought out. We thought through it. The LGBT movement and its propaganda have always been that, ‘Oh, you want to throw people in prison.’ We say no. You think it’s a lifestyle and want to glamorise it — that’s fine. But over here, we believe that people with those challenges need help,” he said.
He explained that the bill includes provisions for care and rehabilitation rather than purely punitive measures.
“So in the bill, we said that if you need care, treatment, and support — even during arrest, sentencing, or trial — or while in prison and you agree to seek help, then it will be provided. The law allows for flexible sentencing,” he added.
According to Foh-Amoaning, cost concerns emerged during the drafting process, particularly regarding who would fund health facilities that provide support for offenders.
“The issue of cost became an issue because they said if you go to the health facilities, who’s going to pay? Although the drafting language was clear, the former Attorney General actually raised objections because of the financial implications,” he noted.
He said this concern reinforces President Akufo-Addo’s earlier suggestion that the bill should be introduced as a public bill.
“For me, that’s what makes the President’s viewpoint — that it has to come as a public bill — very interesting. And I still insist that now that it is going to be reintroduced, if the government has no problem, the President should go back to his own view,” he said.
Foh-Amoaning further revealed that he had personally engaged the Attorney General on the matter, who was open to exploring the conversion of the private members’ bill into a public one.
“I have had discussions with the Attorney General. He was keen on engaging the private members who want to bring it so that they can draft their version, and then he can present it as a public bill. I think it will resolve a lot of the issues I have raised,” Foh-Amoaning concluded.