The Ghanaian Parliament has approved a bill aimed at safeguarding what it terms “human sexual rights and family values,” colloquially known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
Introduced by Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, the legislation is named the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.
According to reports from GhanaWeb and Citi Newsroom, the bill which was passed on Wednesday criminalizes LGBTQ activities and prohibits their promotion, advocacy, or funding.
Offenders could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, with stiffer penalties of three to five years for those supporting or promoting such activities.
The legislative victory follows years of contentious debate, with opponents attempting to thwart its progress or introduce modifications.
While Homosexuality is already outlawed in Ghana, with a maximum prison sentence of three years, the new bill extends this to a potential five-year term and criminalizes the distribution of LGBTQ-supportive materials.
Approval came swiftly after a call from Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, the Board Chair of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, urging President Nana Akufo-Addo to reject the bill.
However, Takyiwaa Manuh, a senior fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, expressed concern about the lack of proper parliamentary scrutiny.
Manuh warned that the bill, if enacted, could significantly impact various sectors of society, including the judiciary and law enforcement.
She emphasized the need for the president to uphold Ghana’s constitutional values, suggesting that the bill represents a threat to the country’s commitment to democracy.
Ultimately, the bill awaits the president’s approval to become law.
There is uncertainty surrounding President Akufo-Addo’s stance on the issue.
The United Nations previously expressed apprehension about similar legislation, cautioning that it could lead to state-sanctioned discrimination and violence against sexual minorities.
