Ghana’s parliament recently approved a new bill that enforces a prison sentence of up to three years for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
The bill also includes a maximum five-year jail term for those who create or support LGBTQ+ groups. Efforts to replace prison sentences with community service and counseling were shut down by lawmakers.
This reflects a growing opposition to LGBTQ+ rights in the conservative West African nation. The bill, supported by Ghana’s major political parties, will only become law if President Nana Akufo-Addo signs it.
He previously stated that he would do so if the majority of Ghanaians supported it. Currently, being LGBTQ+ is already illegal in Ghana and carries a three-year prison sentence.
Amnesty International has raised concerns about the bill, warning that it threatens the fundamental rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Activists are worried that there will be a crackdown on LGBTQ+ community members and advocates, forcing some to go into hiding.
This was reiterated by the head of the UN organization dealing with AIDS, Winnie Byanyima, who said: “If Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill becomes a law, it will exacerbate fear and hatred, could incite violence against fellow Ghanaian citizens, and will negatively impact on free speech, freedom of movement, and freedom of association.”
She added that it would “obstruct access to life-saving services” and “jeopardize Ghana’s development success.”
The bill suggests a maximum jail sentence of 10 years for those involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy campaigns targeting children.
It also urges the public to report LGBTQ+ community members to authorities for appropriate action.
Members of Parliament stated that the bill was created in response to the opening of Ghana’s first LGBTQ+ community center in Accra in January 2021.
The center was closed by the police after public protests and pressure from religious and traditional leaders in the predominantly Christian country.
The Christian Council of Ghana and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council released a joint statement at the time, stating that LGBTQ+ practices were not in line with Ghanaian culture and family values, and therefore cannot be accepted by the citizens of the nation.
Lawmakers have approved a revised version of a bill that is less strict than the original draft. For example, jail terms have been reduced and a controversial clause on conversion therapy has been taken out.
During a lengthy debate, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the deputy parliamentary leader of the ruling party, proposed additional changes.
He suggested that lawmakers should vote secretly on whether individuals found guilty of being part of the LGBTQ+ community should be sent to jail or be required to perform community service and receive counseling.
However, he was shouted down by lawmakers who favored prison sentences.
