Ghana Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ Bill

Ghana’s parliament has approved a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which awaits presidential assent. This legislation has sparked debate and condemnation due to its stringent measures against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (or queer) LGBTQ individuals.

Key Points

Bill Provisions

The bill aims to uphold traditional Ghanaian family values and regulate human sexual rights. It criminalizes identification with LGBTQ identities, imposing penalties of up to three years in prison.
Individuals found promoting or supporting LGBTQ activities could face up to five years in prison under the proposed law.
Ghana already prohibits gay sexual acts, carrying a maximum prison sentence of three years.

International Response

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has criticized the bill, urging against its enactment into law.
The passage of the bill aligns with a broader trend across Africa, where many countries criminalize homosexuality.

Context

Introduced in 2021, the bill follows heightened anti-LGBTQ sentiments triggered by the establishment of Ghana’s first LGBTQ+ community center.
The bill reflects Ghana’s conservative stance on LGBTQ rights, mirroring similar legislation passed in Uganda in 2023.

Regional and Global Impact

With 31 out of 54 African countries criminalizing homosexuality, the passage of Ghana’s bill underscores a continent-wide challenge to LGBTQ rights.
The bill’s approval highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ equality and the persistence of discriminatory laws in many parts of the world.