US is Deeply Troubled After Ghana Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ Bill
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The United States has urged a review of the ” constitutionality of the anti-LGBTQ bill sharing that it was deeply troubled by the passage of the bill in Ghana’s parliament.Ghana Parliament seeks to intensify a crackdown on those promoting lesbian gay and other conventional sexual.and gender identities in the country. Gay sex was previously punishable by 3 years in prison. The bill imposes five years for “wilful promotion, sponsorship or supporting LGBTQ+ activities.”
Key Notes From The U.S. State Department
In a statement the US State Department said, ” The bill seeks to criminalise any person who simply identifies as LGBTQI+, as well as any friend, family, or member of the community who does not report them,” The department also shared, “The bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy,”
Adding, “The US echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.”
Ghana’s controversial anti-homosexuality bill that was passed by the parliament unanimously has drawn international condemnation.
One of the main sponsors of the bill, Sam George shared on X, ” After three long years, we have finally passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act,”
UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima responded to the passing of the bill warning that if the bill became a law it was likely to “affect everyone” and interfere with country’s fight against HIV and AIDS.
Winnie asserted that if the bill becomes law, it will have a negative impact on freedom of speech, movement and association as well as obstruct access to life-saving services and jeopardize Ghana’s development success. Byanyima also said in a statement that the passing of the bill into a law would hamper Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS.
She said, ” Approaches rooted in inclusion of all people have been crucial to Ghana’s progress in the HIV response. To achieve the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, it is vital to ensure that everyone has equal access to essential services without fear, stigma or discrimination, and that providers of life-saving HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services are supported in their work,”
Members of Ghana’s LGBTQ community are skeptical about the implications the bill has. The group of lawyers alongside human rights activists in Ghana popularly known as “Big 18” has condemned the bill. In 2021, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was introduced into parliament after a wave of anti-LGBTQ sentiments when Ghana’s first LGBTQ+ community center was opened.
Thirty one out of 54 African countries criminalized homosexuality. The passage of Ghana’s anti-gay bill follows the legislation of Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill in 2023.
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