Ghana President Nana Akufo Delays Decision on Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Ghana’s president has shared that he will delay the consideration of the anti-LGBTQ bill that was passed by Ghana’s parliament last week after warnings that the bill would lead to Ghana losing billions in funding. According to the statement President Nana Akufo-Addo shared that he is still waiting for the court’s decision before he takes action in regard to the bill.
President Nana said the bill, “raised considerable anxieties in certain quarters of the diplomatic community and amongst some friends of Ghana that she may be turning her back on her, hitherto, enviable, longstanding record on human rights observance and attachment to the rule of law”.
The President further asserted, “I want to assure you that no such back-sliding will be contemplated or occasioned.”He also said that he will not decide whether to sign a controversial bill into law until the Supreme Court rules. Lawmakers approved the bill last week drawing condemnation from the rights activists in spite of gaining support in the West African state.
The proposed legislation stipulates a six-month to three-year jail term for anyone engaging in LGBTQ sex and a jail term of three to five years for sponsoring gay activities. The bill has sparked criticism from several countries including the United States and Ghana’s finance ministry that warned the country could lose several billions in World Bank funds.
Human Rights Watch researcher Larissaa Kojoue asked the president to veto the legislation asserting that it, “flies in the face of the country’s international human rights obligations”.
Larissa went on to say, “Such a law would not only further erode the rule of law in Ghana, but could also lead to further gratuitous violence against LGBT people and their allies. Ghana’s assaults on LGBT rights contradict its self-image as one of the friendliest nations in the world and a safe, peaceful and hospitable country.
“The president should do the right thing by preserving civic space and protecting freedoms of speech and assembly, and veto the bill.”
Amnesty’s International Ghana country director, Genevieve Partington described the bill’s passage as “shocking and deeply disappointing” especially coming after Ghana was elected to serve at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Partington further described the bill as the most draconian in Africa and seeks to criminalize lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender people.
Partington also shared that since they introduced the bill in parliament, the LGBTQI people have reported increased violence, forced evictions and loss of jobs guaranteed by Ghana’s constitution since the bill was introduced in parliament.
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