By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has denied authorship of a viral social media post that appeared to criticize Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
The controversial post 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. That is a line no Parliament in the civilised world should cross.”
Following public attention, Afenyo-Markin claimed his account had been compromised and insisted the statement was not published by him.
However, the denial has sparked renewed scrutiny because of his previous public comments. During a TV3 interview on November 28, 2023, he stated:
“Personally, I don’t think that somebody claiming to be a lesbian or gay should go to jail by virtue of that.”
He reiterated a similar position during parliamentary debates in February 2024, arguing that imprisonment would not solve issues relating to same-sex relationships.
The matter comes at a time when the bill remains under constitutional and procedural review, with Speaker Alban Bagbin and President John Mahama both indicating that additional scrutiny may be required before any final action is taken.
Commentary | Boakye Stephen
The controversy highlights the increasingly difficult balancing act faced by political leaders who must navigate personal convictions, party positions, and public expectations. Whether the post originated from a compromised account or not, Afenyo-Markin’s previously documented statements ensure that the debate will continue to follow him. More importantly, the episode underscores how digital communications can quickly become central evidence in political discourse.
