Amnesty International Ghana Supports President’s Decision on Anti-LGBTQ Bill, Raises Concerns Over Prison Conditions
Amnesty International Ghana has backed President Akufo-Addo’s decision not to sign the anti-LGBTQ bill into law.
The organization commended the President for redirecting the bill to the court, allowing the judiciary to determine the merit of the issues.
The group also expressed significant concerns over the inadequate feeding grants for inmates, which currently stand at 1.80 pesewas per prisoner per day. Additionally, they highlighted the severe congestion in prisons, equating the conditions faced by inmates to torture.
Further concerns were raised regarding illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and the political manoeuvring surrounding the issue.
Speaking to Channel One News during the annual gathering of members in Cape Coast, Francis Nyantakyi, the Board Chairman of Amnesty International Ghana, emphasised the need for the government to take decisive steps to address these critical issues.
“Amnesty International opposes the Bill, we think that the president should not sign. We think that this is a bill that is going to retrogress our society.
“We should be forward-thinking. We should be looking at topical Human Rights issues that are affecting the ordinary, we don’t need to cut minorities, and we don’t need to fight a fight that is unhealthy. So this Bill, for us, it’s not important.”
“We thank the president for taking a very decisive step by redirecting the bill back to the court. We think that the law that is being made is irrelevant, it doesn’t help.
“The biggest challenge in our prisons is that the prisons are overcrowded. It’s supposed reformative environment, it’s not supposed to be a punitive environment.”
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