Legislation Condemned by Rights Activists and Faces Presidential Approval.
Ghana’s parliament has voted to pass a controversial bill aimed at severely restricting LGBTQ rights, a move that has been strongly condemned by rights activists. The legislation, sponsored by a coalition of religious and traditional leaders, was favored by most lawmakers and passed in parliament on Wednesday.
The bill, known as the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values” bill, would punish those who take part in LGBTQ sexual acts, as well as those who promote the rights of gay, lesbian, or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities, with time in prison. It is considered one of the harshest of its kind in Africa.
However, the bill still needs to be validated by President Nana Akufo-Addo before it can become law, a step that observers believe is unlikely to happen before the general election in December. President Akufo-Addo has stated that gay marriage will never be allowed while he is in power.
Activist groups have criticized the bill as a setback for human rights and have urged President Akufo-Addo’s government to reject it. The Big 18, a coalition of lawyers and activists in Ghana, condemned the bill, stating that it violates the human rights of the LGBT community.
Under the provisions of the bill, those who take part in LGBTQ sexual acts could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years. Additionally, the bill imposes a prison sentence of three to five years for the “wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities.”
Members of Ghana’s LGBTQ community have expressed concern about the implications of the bill. Alex Donkor, founder and director of the organization LGBT+ Rights Ghana, said that the bill will further marginalize and endanger LGBTQ individuals in Ghana, fostering an environment of fear and persecution.
Opposition lawmaker Sam George, the main sponsor of the bill, called on President Akufo-Addo to assent to it, stating that there is nothing that deals with LGBTQ better than this bill that has been passed by parliament.