Ghana’s parliament approved a contentious bill aimed at curtailing LGBTQ rights on Wednesday, sparking criticism from activists.
The bill awaits the president’s validation before it can become law, though it’s unlikely to happen before the upcoming general election in December.
Dubbed the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values” bill, activist groups have decried it as a setback for human rights, urging President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government to reject it.
The legislation enjoys broad support in Ghana, where Akufo-Addo has pledged never to permit gay marriage during his tenure.
Referred to as the anti-gay bill, the comprehensive law garnered sponsorship from a coalition comprising Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders, passing through unopposed voice vote.
While gay sex is already outlawed in the religiously conservative West African nation, no one has been prosecuted under the existing colonial-era law despite common discrimination against LGBTQ individuals.
Under the bill’s provisions, same-sex relations could be punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while advocating for LGBTQ rights could lead to harsher penalties, including potential jail terms of three to five years.
UN rights chief Volker Turk condemned the bill’s passage, emphasizing that consensual same-sex conduct should never be criminalized. He warned against the potential for hate crimes and called on the government to ensure freedom from violence and discrimination for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Big 18, a human rights coalition comprising lawyers and activists in Ghana, echoed concerns, labeling the bill as a violation of human rights.
Opposition lawmaker Sam George, the bill’s primary sponsor, urged Akufo-Addo to approve it, claiming it offers the best solution for LGBTQ issues.
However, members of Ghana’s LGBTQ community fear the bill’s repercussions, citing increased marginalization and endangerment. Alex Donkor, founder of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, warned of legalizing discrimination and fostering an environment of fear and persecution.
The bill adds Ghana to the list of around 30 African countries banning homosexuality, with some, like Uganda and Mauritania, imposing severe penalties, including the death penalty. South Africa remains the continent’s only nation allowing gay marriage, while only a few countries have decriminalized gay sex.
