The Ghana Parliament, on Wednesday, passed the bill on human sexual rights and family values, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The bill, called the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was introduced by Sam Nartey George, the MP for Ningo-Prampram.
GhanaWeb reports that the bill was a Private Members Bill led by Sam Nartey George, the MP for Ningo-Prampram.
The bill prohibits LGBTQ activities and makes it illegal to promote, advocate, or fund them, as reported by Citi Newsroom.
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Local media also reports that individuals caught engaging in the activity could face a jail sentence ranging from six months to three years, while those who support or promote the activity may be sentenced to three to five years in prison.
This is coming after years of the bill being in parliament and going through various stages, facing backlash and efforts by opponents to block it or make changes.
In Ghana, homosexuality is currently prohibited by law and can result in a prison sentence of up to three years.
According to the new legislation, the maximum sentence will be extended to five years.
This proposal will also criminalise the distribution of materials that are considered supportive of LGBTQ rights.
According to Citi Newsroom, Parliament approved the bill one day after Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, the Board Chair of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to reject it.
Takyiwaa Manuh, a senior fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, mentioned to CBS News that Akufo-Addo has not approved any previous privately sponsored bills for legal reasons related to the country’s constitution.
According to Manuh, the speaker of the parliament did not conduct the necessary analysis of the bill.
She believes that if the bill becomes law, it will significantly impact the judiciary, police, and other areas of society.
“I am sad, disappointed and surprised that our commitment and democratic principles in this country appear to be so shallow.
“This bill represents a real danger to our country, and we are looking to the president to uphold the values of our country and constitution,” she said.
The bill will need the President’s approval to take effect.
It remains uncertain whether President Akufo-Addo will approve the bill.
In 2021, the United Nations expressed concerns about the potential impacts of the proposed law, Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, warning that it could lead to state-sponsored discrimination and violence against sexual minorities.
In May 2023, Uganda implemented strict anti-LGBT legislation, which includes severe penalties such as the death penalty for certain homosexual acts.