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Parliament rejects Afenyo-Markin’s request for replacement of custodial sentences with community services for gay activities
Parliament has rejected a proposal from Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which suggested replacing a minimum two-month imprisonment sentence with a minimum one-month community service for individuals found guilty of LGBT activities.
In an effort to pass the anti-LGBT bill at the third reading stage, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin saw a motion filed by Alexander Afenyo-Markin demanding a second consideration of the bill. This motion was subsequently approved by the house.
However, during the detailed amendment process of the bill, the House voted against the Deputy Majority Leader’s initial proposal.
The Speaker of Parliament on Thursday therefore said, “The Nos have it. The proposed amendment is negated.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Afenyo-Markin, in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, reiterated his opposition to custodial sentences for gay activities.
However, he said he was not against the principle of the anti-gay bill.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the country could not afford to enact a law that entrenched custodial sentences.
The Effutu MP noted that such a law was harsh for a homosexual act.
The Deputy Majority Leader underscored that “I support aspects of the bill, I oppose aspects of it. I am not against the principle, the object of the bill. In this day and age where the country’s judiciary is thinking towards a non-custodial sentence, we cannot enact a law that seeks to entrench custodial sentences. After all, it is about somebody’s sexuality, and we have to be very careful as a country not to be going into emotions when enacting a law.”
“First of all, from an empathetic point of view, if it is your son, if it is your daughter if it is your niece, your nephew, an uncle, an auntie, would you say, ‘Go to jail because you have been found guilty of homosexuality’?”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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Seek healthcare at facilities where nursing services are available – Ministry of Health
As a result of the ongoing strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and
Midwives Association (GRNMA), it has become imperative for the Ministry of
Health to implement additional measures to mitigate any inconvenience that has been caused.
According to the Ministry, in a statement, it has through all appropriate channels, led negotiations to ensure the smooth approval and implementation of the
new Conditions of Service.
Against this backdrop, the statement added that in line with the Ministry’s policy to ensure healthy population for national development, it has become necessary to make provisions to fill the gaps created as a result of the strike.
Consequently, the Ministry has urged the general public to continue seeking healthcare services at various health facilities, including those where nursing services remain available, to ensure their health needs are met.
They Ministry also attached a link of health facilities across the country in the statement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Check the statement below
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MTN, Telecel & AT to increase value of data bundles effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Minister for Communication and Digital Innovation, Sam George, has announced an increase in the value of data bundles by all telecommunication networks in the country.
Speaking at a Meet The Press held today, he said the new directive will take effect from July 1, 2025.
According to him, the implementation date of July 1, is to allow the telcos to recalibrate and reconfigure their systems to reflect the agreed-upon value increases.
He said The new directive will ensure that “AirtelTigo Ghana (AT Ghana): A 10% increase in all data bundles currently offered by the network, additionally, the GH₵400 bundle, which currently offers 195GB, will now offer 236GB.”
Touching on Telecel Ghana, he said, “A 10% increase in data bundles currently offered by the network, their GH₵400 bundle, which currently offers 90GB, will offer 250GB, effective from July 1.”
On MTN Ghana, the minister said, there would be “a 15% increase in all data bundles currently offered by the network and I am pleased to announce the restoration of GH₵399 bundle, which currently has been changed to GH₵350 that offers 92.88GB, will hence be reinstated to 214GB for GH₵399.”
Sam George has also urged the operators to invest in the quality of their network to ensure customers are better served.
He charged the regulator National Communication Authority (NCA) to strictly monitor the changes.
The minister expressed appreciation to the CEOs of the various companies for close collaboration over the last four months.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
