By Ezrah Kashumbusha.
ACCRA, February 29, 2024 | In a major legislative move, the Parliament of Ghana passed a bill yesterday that seeks to criminalize activities and advocacy related to the LGBTQ+ community. The proposed legislation, now awaiting the signature of President Nana Akufo-Addo, introduces stringent penalties for individuals and groups associated with LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy within the nation.
Under the new law, individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ could face up to three years in prison, while those promoting LGBTQ+ rights or engaging in same-sex relationships could be subjected to a harsher penalty of five years’ imprisonment. This legislative action represents a key moment in Ghana’s legal stance on LGBTQ+ issues, aligning with broader trends in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation observed across several African countries.
Alex Donkor, the Founder and Director of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, expressed deep concern over the bill’s implications, arguing that it would not only legalize discrimination but also create an environment rife with fear and persecution for the LGBTQ+ community. “This bill threatens the safety and well-being of an already vulnerable community,” Donkor stated, highlighting the potential for increased marginalization and endangerment of LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana.
Should President Akufo-Addo sign the bill into law, Ghana would join the ranks of thirty-one other African countries that have enacted laws banning homosexual acts, with some nations imposing even more severe penalties, including the death sentence, for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The bill garnered unanimous support from all major political parties represented in the Ghanaian Parliament. During the legislative process, some parliamentarians advocated for even stricter penalties against the LGBTQ+ community, underscoring the deeply entrenched opposition to LGBTQ+ rights within the country’s political landscape.
First introduced in 2021, the bill has received widespread endorsement from various sectors of Ghanaian society, including Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders, reflecting broad public support for measures against LGBTQ+ advocacy and activities.
The passage of this bill marks a critical juncture in Ghana’s approach to LGBTQ+ rights, signaling a potentially significant shift towards more restrictive policies on sexual orientation and gender identity. As the nation awaits the President’s decision, the international community and human rights organizations are closely monitoring developments, concerned about the impact such legislation may have on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana.
