The Ghanaian parliament on Wednesday 28 February, passed the bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The bill proscribes LGBT activities and criminalizes its promotion, advocacy and funding.
Persons caught in the act would be can face 6 months to 3 year jail term. Individuals promoting and sponsoring the act could get 3 to 5 year jail term.
The Bill would now require presidential assent to come into force. President Nana Akufo-Addo has not confirmed if he would sign the bill into law.
The lead sponsor, Samuel Nartey George after the passage wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I am grateful to my Colleague sponsors who have waged this battle with me to a successful end. Our collective gratitude goes to our Leadership and the Rt. Hon. Speaker for their guidance and leadership.”
“Our values would be protected and defended so long as we have a voice. For God and Country.” he added.
The United Nations said in 2021 that the proposed law, Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, would create “a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence” against sexual minorities.
In May 2023, Uganda signed one of the world’s toughest anti-LGBT laws, including the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” Activists said it unleashed a wave of abuse and the World Bank suspended new funding to the country.
