Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday passed a bill titled “The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” which has sparked widespread debate and condemnation from rights groups. The legislation, yet to be signed into law by President Nana Akufo-Addo, aims to severely restrict LGBTQ rights in the West African nation.
The bill has drawn strong opposition from activist groups who call it a significant setback for human rights. They have urged the president to reject the legislation, arguing it violates the fundamental rights of the LGBTQ community. However, the bill enjoys broad public support in Ghana, where President Akufo-Addo has publicly stated his opposition to same-sex marriage.
The proposed law, widely known as the anti-gay bill, was sponsored by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders, garnering considerable backing within parliament. While same-sex intimacy is already illegal in Ghana, the existing colonial-era law has never resulted in prosecutions. The new bill proposes harsher penalties, ranging from six months to three years imprisonment for individuals engaging in LGBTQ sexual activity. Furthermore, those advocating for LGBTQ rights could face even stricter sentences, potentially serving between three and five years behind bars.
Human rights groups, including the Big 18 coalition of lawyers and activists, have vehemently condemned the bill. Takyiwaa Manuh, a member of the coalition, stated, “Criminalizing someone’s identity is what this bill does, and it’s absolutely wrong.” She urged the president to withhold his assent, emphasizing that the legislation “totally violates the human rights of the LGBT community.”
Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Sam George, the bill’s main sponsor, called on President Akufo-Addo to sign it into law. He stated, “There is nothing that deals with LGBTQ better than this bill… We expect the president to walk his talk and be a man of his words.”
The LGBTQ community in Ghana fears the bill’s potential consequences. Alex Donkor, founder and director of the organization LGBT+ Rights Ghana, expressed concern that “the passing of this bill will further marginalize and endanger LGBTQ individuals in Ghana.” He highlighted the legislation’s potential to not only “legalize discrimination but also foster an environment of fear and persecution,” jeopardizing the safety and well-being of an already vulnerable community.
