Ghana MPs Bring Back Tough Anti-LGBT Bill, Sparking Outcry
According to the BBC, a group of 10 lawmakers in Ghana has reintroduced a controversial bill that would impose some of the harshest anti-LGBT laws in Africa. The bill proposes a three-year jail term for anyone identifying as gay and five to 10 years for those who support or advocate for LGBT rights.
This bill was passed by Ghana’s parliament last year, but former President Nana Akufo-Addo refused to sign it into law before leaving office in January. He cited legal concerns, and the bill was dropped when the previous parliament dissolved. Now, it’s unclear if the new parliament will even consider it.
The BBC reports that gay sex is already illegal in Ghana, punishable by up to three years in prison. Supporters of the bill argue it protects Ghanaian culture and family values. However, human rights groups, both local and international, have strongly criticized the bill, calling it extreme and harmful.
Larissa Kojoué from Human Rights Watch told the BBC last year that the bill goes against Ghana’s tradition of tolerance and its international human rights commitments. She warned it could lead to more violence against LGBT people and their supporters.
Ghanaian trans activist Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi told Reuters that the bill’s return is “disheartening” but vowed that LGBT activism would continue.
There are also concerns about the bill’s economic impact. Ghana’s former finance minister warned that passing the bill could cost the country billions in development funding from the World Bank and affect its $3 billion IMF support program.
However, some lawmakers, like John Ntim Fordjour, argue that global political shifts, such as Donald Trump’s presidency, make it safer for Ghana to push conservative values without fearing economic sanctions.
The BBC notes that this bill has faced delays since it was first introduced in 2021. While its future remains uncertain, the debate highlights the tension between preserving cultural values and upholding human rights in Ghana.
In short, the reintroduction of this bill has reignited a heated debate in Ghana, with human rights groups and activists pushing back against what they see as a dangerous and discriminatory law.
Credit: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjy91gr48lo