A lecturer at the GIMPA Law School has urged policymakers and the public to focus on whether newly enacted legislation can effectively address the problems it seeks to solve, warning against turning legal reforms into political contests.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (30 May), Oxford Osei Bonsu said the passage of a law alone does not guarantee its effectiveness.

“The fact that you have passed a law doesn’t mean that the law is going to work,” Osei Bonsu said, questioning what practical problems lawmakers intended to address through the legislation.

His comments came amid public debate over amendments and revisions to Ghana’s controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation, with disagreements emerging over provisions included in earlier and subsequent versions of the bill.

Osei Bonsu said discussions should centre on whether the law’s provisions can achieve their intended objectives rather than on partisan arguments surrounding the legislative process.

“What problem are we addressing with the passage of the law? Would this be able to solve the problem?” he asked.

The legal scholar also stressed the importance of clearly explaining changes made to legislation, arguing that amendments should be justified in a manner that allows the public to understand their purpose and impact.

He cautioned against interpretations that could undermine constitutional rights, citing concerns over suggestions that persons accused of offences under the law could be denied legal representation.

“If anybody could interpret a provision like that, then it means that we are at a wrong point,” he said.

According to Osei Bonsu, laws should serve the interests of all citizens and remain open to future amendments if implementation reveals shortcomings.

He noted that legislative changes are a normal part of governance and should not automatically be viewed with suspicion, provided they continue to serve the objectives for which the law was enacted.

“For all you know, the amendment will go for the benefit of the citizen or probably still serve the purpose that was intended for,” he said.

Osei Bonsu said the key test of the legislation would be whether it retains provisions to punish those found engaging in prohibited practices and those deemed to be promoting them.

“If we have those things spelled out, then we are good to go,” he said.