Former First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei Owusu on Ghana's Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and national values
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Hon Joseph Osei Owusu, a former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, stated that Ghana must uphold its cultural values and national identity even if the controversial LGBTQ+ Bill, once enacted, leads to international repercussions. He explained the legislative process, noting that the President must first assess the bill's constitutional consistency before assenting. If constitutional concerns arise, the President can return the bill to Parliament for amendments. Hon. Osei Owusu believes there is a high likelihood the bill will receive presidential assent, especially after amendments have "watered it down." He also mentioned Parliament's power to override a presidential refusal. Acknowledging that Ghana's development partners and trading allies may expect the country to accept LGBTQ+ rights, he emphasized that Ghana should prioritize its sovereignty over external pressure. He concluded that if international support is affected, Ghana should be prepared to pursue its own development path.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Marvin Walker, a Ghanaian living abroad, claims he was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned in Ghana after declining to give money to a police officer. In a video, Walker recounted that the officer allegedly fabricated charges against him when he refused the demands. Despite court officials reportedly stating the officer's claims were untrue, Walker was remanded into custody. He credits his background as a US Marine and his brother being an FBI agent, along with local assistance and external calls, for his eventual release by the judge. Walker stated that he had been investing significantly in Ghana and encouraging other diasporans to return, expressing disappointment over the ordeal. After his release, he reported the incident through his lawyer to the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau PIPS, but claims no action has been taken against the officer. GhanaWeb has not independently verified the claims or the circumstances surrounding the incident, and there has been no official response from the Ghana Police Service.
The Minority in Parliament has urged the Mahama administration to stop the second prosecution of TikToker Camilla Alhassan and cease using what it terms "outdated laws" that criminalize free speech. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, speaking at a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2026, called for an immediate halt to all prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, arguing these provisions are not suitable for a modern democracy. This follows an Accra Circuit Court sentencing the 43-year-old TikToker to one year in prison with hard labor for offensive conduct after she pleaded guilty to making derogatory remarks about President John Dramani Mahama in a TikTok video. Despite her conviction, the Ghana Police Service indicated she would face a separate charge of false communication under the Electronic Communications Act. Afenyo-Markin demanded the withdrawal of all pending prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208, including the second prosecution against Camilla Alhassan. The Minority also requested the release of individuals currently serving sentences under these provisions, citing the case of Kwame Nkrumah II. Furthermore, Afenyo-Markin urged Parliament to fast-track legislation to repeal the two sections, noting the Minority has already presented a bill to the House. He also appealed to President Mahama to instruct law enforcement agencies to stop prosecuting Ghanaians under these contested provisions. The Minority believes repealing these
Must ReadPresident John Dramani Mahama has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to voluntarily return to Ghana as the government pursues legal processes for his extradition. Speaking in the Volta Region on July 17, 2026, President Mahama referenced Ofori-Atta's past statement about not abandoning his 'children' Ghanaians and called on him to face the issues. He questioned why a public official who believes they acted properly would flee the country. President Mahama emphasized that any extradition must adhere to international legal standards and respect individual rights. He confirmed that the Attorney General鈥檚 Department has initiated the process by filing an application and providing additional requested documents, with a US court ultimately deciding on the extradition request.