Ghana Parliament Passes Stringent Anti-LGBTQ Law: US “Deeply Troubled”
On Wednesday, Ghana’s parliament approved a law that strengthens measures against the rights of LGBTQ individuals and those advocating for non-traditional sexual or gender identities in the West African nation.
Gay sex was already punishable by up to three years in prison. The bill now also imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the “wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities”.
The bill is one of the harshest of its kind in Africa.
“My heart is broken and devastated at the moment, that’s all I can say for now” Angel Maxine, Ghana’s first openly transgender musician and LGBTQI+ activist, told Reuters, adding “My pronouns are She/ her/ hers.”
The legislation was backed by a coalition comprising leaders from Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional communities.
After the parliamentary vote, the bill will be submitted to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who must either approve or reject it within seven days by Ghana’s constitution.
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If he agrees, the bill will be enacted into law. Akufo-Addo steered clear of the contentious discussion surrounding the bill but mentioned that he will respond once it is voted on by parliament.
In a statement, Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS (the United Nations Aids agency), emphasized that the potential enactment of the bill would impact everyone. She expressed concern that the punitive measures outlined in the bill act as obstacles to the goal of eradicating AIDS, ultimately jeopardizing the health of the entire population.
“It will exacerbate fear and hatred, could incite violence against fellow Ghanaian citizens, and will negatively impact free speech, freedom of movement, and freedom of association,” Byanyima said in a statement.
“If it becomes law, it will obstruct access to life-saving services, undercut social protection, and jeopardize Ghana’s development success,” she said.
The United States on Wednesday said it was “deeply troubled” by the passage of stringent anti-LGBTQ legislation in Ghana’s parliament and urged a review of the “constitutionality of the bill.”
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
Ghana’s parliament recently approved a law that has strengthened measures against the rights of LGBTQ individuals and those advocating for non-traditional sexual or gender identities in the West African nation.
KEY QUOTES
“The bill seeks to criminalize any person who simply identifies as LGBTQI+, as well as any friend, family, or member of the community who does not report them,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
“The bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy,” the department said.
It added: “The United States echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.”
CONTEXT
The legislation, considered one of the most stringent in Africa, was supported by a coalition comprising Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders.
After the parliamentary vote, the legislation will be submitted to President Nana Akufo-Addo. Subsequently, he is required by Ghana’s constitution to either approve or reject the bill within a seven-day period.
Ghana Parliament Passes Stringent Anti-LGBTQ Law: US “Deeply Troubled”
