Ghana Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

Ghana passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill

Lawmakers in Ghana's parliament have approved the anti-LGBTQ bill seeking to prohibit lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activities in the country.

The bill was passed via a voice vote on February 28, three years after introduction.

The anti-LGBTQ bill aimed at promoting human sexual rights and family values also criminalises the activities of this group including promotion, advocacy, and funding in the country.

Before this, two clauses of the bill, 10 and 11 which address the editorial policies of media organisations which were proposed by the Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George who is the lead sponsor of the bill were accepted. This is to ensure compliance with Article 12 of the 1992 constitution.

Another motion regarding clause 12 which concerns funding of LGBTQ activities was raised by Alexander Afenyo-Markin for constitutional scrutiny but was rejected by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

The bill will be forwarded to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent to be passed into law.

Under this law, individuals engaged in all activities outlined as criminalized in the bill could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years. Promoters and sponsors of such acts could also be sentenced to three to five years in jail.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) have urged the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to assent to the Bill. Board Chair of CDD-Ghana Professor Audrey Gadzekpo says that the passage of the bill into law is untenable.

“Human rights are not dependent on majority approval or disapproval, therefore the assertion by the proponents of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill that because the majority of Ghanaians are allegedly in favour of the bill, justifies its passage into laws is untenable. Ghana is a secular and multi-religious country,” she was quoted by Daily Graphic.