Ghana's Parliament Approves Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill Amid Opposition

Ghana's parliament has recently passed a highly controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill. The bill, considered one of the toughest pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Africa, increases the maximum prison sentence for homosexuality from three to five years. Additionally, advocating for LGBTQ rights and distributing material that supports LGBTQ rights will now be punishable offenses under the new law.

The bill was sponsored by traditional leaders from Ghana's Christian and Muslim communities and awaits President Nana Akufo-Addo's signature to become law. The president, who has not publicly disclosed his stance on the legislation, is under pressure to uphold the values of the country and its constitution in light of criticism from civil society organizations.

Takyiwaa Manuh, a senior fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, expressed concern over the potential impacts of the bill, mentioning the heavier burden it could place on the judiciary, police, and other aspects of life in Ghana. Ghanaian civil society organizations have signaled readiness to file legal challenges against the bill, highlighting the detrimental effects it could have on the LGBTQ community, such as discrimination, violence, and harassment.

As debates around the bill escalated in recent weeks, attacks on LGBTQ members have reportedly increased, with instances of students being expelled from school, robberies, extortion, and banishments from hometowns. The United Nations raised concerns last year about the discriminatory nature of the proposed law, warning of state-sponsored violence against gay individuals in Ghana.

Amidst the passing of such legislation, attention has also been drawn to Uganda, where extreme anti-LGBTQ laws threatening life imprisonment and death for homosexuality are being challenged. The U.S. has condemned Uganda's anti-homosexuality act and imposed sanctions in response to the discriminatory legislation.