- Ghana Parliament passes LGBTQ bill
- Activists condemn, urge veto
- Bill threatens LGBTQ rights
The Ghanaian Parliament has passed a contentious measure that would impose significant limitations on the rights of the LGBTQ community. Rights activists have condemned this action.
The majority-supported legislation that was successfully enacted in Parliament on Wednesday was sponsored by a coalition of religious and traditional leaders.
Those who engage in LGBTQ sexual acts or advocate for the rights of non-conventional sexual or gender identities, including homosexual, lesbian, or other non-conventional identities, would face imprisonment under the proposed legislation.
The measure, which is among the most severe of its kind in Africa, must still be approved by the President prior to becoming law. This is deemed improbable by analysts in light of the December general election.
Divisive Bill Polarizes Ghana
The “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values” measure has been labelled a setback for human rights by activist organisations, which have urged the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo to veto it.
Akufo-Addo has pledged to ban homosexual marriage during his presidency, hence the law has broad support in Ghana.
The legislation in question, which was widely known as the “anti-gay bill,” was endorsed by a coalition consisting of traditional leaders from Ghana, Islam, and Christianity. Furthermore, it garnered significant support from members of Parliament.
Although discrimination against LGBTQ individuals is widespread in the religious West African nation where homosexual intercourse is already prohibited, no one has ever been prosecuted under the colonial-era law.
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According to the measure, LGBTQ sexual offenders could serve six to three years in prison.
This law also punishes “wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities” with three to five years in prison.
“Champions of human rights”
Ghanaian human rights lawyers and activists’ Big 18 has slammed the measure.
“One cannot criminalise an individual’s identity. That is precisely what the bill does; it is utterly illogical,” said coalition member Takyiwaa Manuh.
Manuh told the AFP news agency, “We want to convince the President not to sign the bill, as it blatantly violates the human rights of the LGBT community.”
The primary sponsor of the measure, opposition lawmaker Sam George, urged Akufo-Addo to give his consent to it.
“No legislation addresses the LGBTQ community more effectively than the bill that has been ratified by Parliament.” George stated, “We expect the President to walk his talk and be a man of his word.”
Members of the LGBTQ community in Ghana are concerned about the bill’s repercussions.
Alex Donkor, the organisation’s founder and director, stated, “The passage of this bill will endanger and further marginalise LGBTQ individuals in Ghana.”
He stated, “In addition to legitimising discrimination, it fosters an atmosphere of fear and persecution.”
By imposing severe penalties on LGBTQ individuals and activists alike, this measure endangers an already precarious community’s security and welfare.
