Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin criticizes laws criminalizing sexual orientation
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has voiced strong opposition to legislation that criminalizes individuals based on their sexual orientation, arguing that such laws do not protect society but rather target specific groups. In a social media post on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Afenyo-Markin emphasized that Parliament should avoid passing laws that punish people for their identity or whom they choose to love, citing serious human rights concerns. He warned lawmakers against crossing this "dangerous line" in the legislative process. This statement comes after the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, was reintroduced and passed by Parliament on Friday, May 29, 2026. The bill includes amendments that exempt certain individuals and institutions, such as those providing legal advice or representation, journalists reporting on LGBTQ+ issues, and healthcare professionals offering assistance, from sanctions.
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Ghana's Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced that 8,000 newly recruited health workers are expected to start work by July 2026. The Ministry is finalizing administrative procedures for their placement. Akandoh stated that the full list of recruits and their interview locations will be published to ensure transparency. Priority will be given to rural and underserved communities to address staffing shortages and enhance healthcare delivery across the country.
Must ReadMinority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has distanced himself from a social media post that appeared to criticize the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025. The post, which circulated widely on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, suggested that criminalizing individuals based on their sexual orientation was akin to punishing them for who they are and whom they choose to associate with. It stated, "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," and added that "That is a line no Parliament in the civilised world should cross." The comments quickly gained traction, prompting questions about the Minority Leader's stance on the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The original post was later deleted and replaced with a disclaimer from Afenyo-Markin, who stated, "Kindly disregard this post. Account was compromised." This incident occurs as public attention remains focused on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, which Parliament passed on May 29, 2026. The bill aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, with exemptions for certain professionals acting within their duties.
The Electricity Company of Ghana ECG has issued a public advisory titled "Rainstorm and Electricity – A Dangerous Combination," urging Ghanaians to exercise extreme caution during the rainy season. The company highlights the dangers of heavy rains combined with electricity, noting that fallen power lines, flooded streets, and damaged electrical equipment are common hazards. ECG advises the public to treat every fallen power line as live and dangerous, and to avoid walking through flooded areas near electrical installations, as submerged equipment can carry lethal currents. Households are also encouraged to unplug electrical appliances during thunderstorms to prevent shocks and damage. The advisory follows recent heavy rains and the spillage of the Weija Dam, which caused flooding and power outages in several communities. Key safety messages include staying away from fallen power lines, unplugging appliances during thunderstorms, avoiding flooded areas near electrical installations, assuming any fallen line is live, and reporting hazards immediately to ECG at 0302611611.
Ghana's Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, recently recounted Ghana's strong support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, emphasizing African solidarity. Speaking at an event on June 2, 2026, Bagbin highlighted various contributions from African nations, including Ghana, to aid South Africans in their fight for freedom. He shared his personal involvement in South Africa's transition, revealing he spent months there in the early 1990s assisting with preparations for the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Bagbin noted that Africans united against oppression and land dispossession, recalling his experience seeing Black South Africans denied land and opportunities. He described the hardships he faced during his stay, including being monitored due to his identity as a Black African. He also mentioned relying on a colleague he suspected was linked to Russian intelligence services, reflecting the tense environment. While acknowledging the collective effort that led to South Africa's independence and the success of the 1994 elections, Bagbin expressed concern that many young South Africans today perceive little change in their conditions. He warned that this frustration contributes to rising tensions and resentment against other Africans, particularly concerning jobs and migration, calling for diplomatic solutions to these worrying attitudes. His comments follow recent xenophobic tensions in South Africa, which led to Ghana evacuating some of its citizens