Ghana’s Parliament Approves Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill, Increasing Penalties and Criminalizing Advocacy
In a move that has sparked outrage and concern among human rights activists, Ghana’s parliament has approved a highly controversial anti-LGBTQ bill. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill is being hailed as one of the toughest pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Africa. Homosexuality is already illegal in Ghana, punishable by up to three years in prison. However, under the new law, the maximum sentence will increase to five years. Additionally, the bill criminalizes advocacy for LGBTQ rights and makes the distribution of material supportive of LGBTQ rights illegal.
The bill, sponsored by traditional leaders from Ghana’s Christian and Muslim communities, has now been passed to President Nana Akufo-Addo for approval. While it is widely expected that he will sign the legislation into law, he has not made any public statements regarding his intentions. The Big 18 & Human Rights Coalition, an umbrella group of lawyers and activists in Ghana, has strongly condemned the bill, stating that it “criminalizes a person’s identity and strips away fundamental human rights.” They have urged the president to reject the bill.
Critics of the bill argue that it places a heavy burden on the judiciary, the police, and other aspects of life in Ghana. Takyiwaa Manuh, a senior fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, expressed her disappointment and concern over the potential impact of the bill. She highlighted that Akufo-Addo has not signed any previous privately sponsored bills into law due to the demands of an article in the country’s constitution that requires scrutiny over potential financial impacts of legislation. Manuh pointed out that no such analysis was carried out for this bill, emphasizing the need for the president to uphold the values of the country and constitution.
Ghanaian civil society organizations are prepared to file legal challenges against the bill. Manuh revealed that many people have not even read the bill and are unaware of its implications. She explained that the legislation imposes duties on parents, landlords, and business owners, making them liable for the actions of others. When people do read and understand the bill, they are shocked at how it could make them vulnerable to legal consequences.
As the debate over the bill intensified, so did attacks on members of the LGBTQ community. Activists report incidents of students being attacked and expelled from school, individuals being robbed, and extortion attempts by community members threatening to expose their sexual orientation. Many have been banished from their hometowns, lost their jobs, and faced rejection from their families. These actions have created a chilling atmosphere for LGBTQ individuals in Ghana. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have warned that the bill would institutionalize discrimination and violence against gay people in the country.
The situation in Ghana mirrors the extreme anti-LGBTQ laws in Uganda, where the top constitutional court is currently considering a ruling on a law that threatens life imprisonment and even death for homosexuality. Civil rights groups in Uganda have challenged the anti-homosexuality act, and the U.S. has condemned the legislation and imposed sanctions on the country. The ruling on the constitutionality of the law is still pending.
The approval of Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ bill has sparked international concern and condemnation. Human rights activists are calling for the protection of LGBTQ individuals’ rights and urging President Akufo-Addo to reconsider signing the bill into law. The impact of this legislation on Ghana’s society and its LGBTQ community remains to be seen, but it is clear that it represents a significant setback for human rights in the country.
