Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised attempts to criminalise individuals based on their sexual orientation, arguing that such laws do not protect society but rather target a specific group of people.

According to him, Parliament must be careful not to pass legislation that punishes people simply because of who they are or whom they choose to love.

In a viral social media post on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the Minority Leader maintained that laws that criminalise individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation raise serious human rights concerns.

“A law that imprisons people for their sexual orientation or who they choose to love does not protect society. It simply selects a group of human beings and makes their existence a crime,” he stated.

Afenyo-Markin further cautioned lawmakers against crossing what he described as a dangerous line in the legislative process.

“That is a line no Parliament in the civilised world should cross,” he added.

It would be recalled that in 2024, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated that assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill would be put on hold pending the determination of cases challenging the bill before the Supreme Court.

This followed Parliament’s passage of the bill on February 28, 2024, during the Akufo-Addo administration. However, the bill was not assented to before the expiration of the parliamentary term.

The legislation was subsequently reintroduced and passed by Parliament on Friday, May 29, 2026. The bill seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and contains amendments that exempt certain individuals and institutions from sanctions under the proposed law.

Under the amended provisions, individuals who provide legal advice or legal representation to persons who identify as LGBTQ+ will not be liable to punishment.

The bill also exempts journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ+-related issues or covering such matters in the course of their professional duties.

In addition, healthcare professionals, including medical practitioners, psychologists, counsellors, and other service providers offering professional assistance to persons who identify as LGBTQ+, are exempt from sanctions under the bill.

See the now deleted post below: