Ghana’s parliament has approved a bill criminalizing the identification with LGBTQ+ communities, prompting widespread alarm both locally and internationally.
The newly passed legislation mandates a maximum prison sentence of three years for individuals convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+. Additionally, forming or financing LGBTQ+ groups could result in a harsher penalty of up to five years behind bars. Efforts to substitute prison sentences with community service and counseling were met with vehement opposition from lawmakers during the heated debates.
the bill garnered support from Ghana’s major political parties and awaits final approval from President Nana Akufo-Addo. Previously, President Akufo-Addo expressed willingness to sign the bill into law if it aligned with the desires of the majority of Ghanaians.
Ghana’s law already prohibits gay sex, carrying a three-year imprisonment term. However, the recent bill poses even more significant threats to LGBTQ+ individuals’ fundamental rights and freedoms, stated by Amnesty International.
Activists fear the legislation will ignite witch-hunts against LGBTQ+ community members and advocates, potentially forcing some into hiding.
This issue was echoed by Winnie Byanyima, head of the UN body tackling AIDS, who warned of increased fear, hatred, and violence if the bill is enacted.
Moreover, the bill proposes severe penalties, including up to ten years’ imprisonment for involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy campaigns targeting children. It also encourages the public to report LGBTQ+ individuals to authorities for punitive action.
The beginning of the bill traces back to the opening of Ghana’s first LGBTQ+ community center in Accra in January 2021, which faced immediate backlash from religious and traditional leaders, leading to its closure by the police. Religious bodies like the Christian Council of Ghana and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council strongly condemned LGBTQ+ identities as incompatible with Ghanaian culture and family values.
Although the approved bill represents a moderated version of earlier drafts, it still evokes significant concern. For instance, jail terms were reduced, and a contentious clause on conversion therapy was omitted. However, debates during the legislative process indicated further proposals for amendments, with some lawmakers advocating for alternatives to imprisonment, such as community service and counseling. Nevertheless, such suggestions were met with resistance from proponents of prison sentences.
