Ghana’s parliament passes anti-homosexuality bill

Members of Ghana's parliament

Ghana’s parliament unanimously passed a controversial anti-homosexuality bill on Wednesday, eliciting international condemnation.

“After three long years, we have finally passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act,” announced Sam George, a key proponent of the bill, on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Introduced in 2021, the bill not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships but also targets individuals supporting LGBTQ rights.

Many African nations still criminalize same-sex activity, often due to colonial-era laws. Recent bills and proposals across Africa have sought to clarify and, in some cases, reinforce these laws.

A recent CNN investigation revealed alleged ties between a US nonprofit and the formulation of homophobic legislation. The group denied any involvement.

Before becoming law, the bill in Ghana requires the president's approval.

Volker Türk, the United Nations human rights chief, denounced parliament’s approval of the bill as “profoundly disturbing,” urging the government not to enact it.

“The bill extends criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual, and queer individuals merely for their identities and threatens penalties against perceived LGBTQ+ allies,” Türk stated.

In response to the bill’s passage, Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS executive director, cautioned that its enactment would “impact everyone” and impede Ghana’s HIV and AIDS efforts.

“Inclusive approaches have been pivotal in Ghana’s HIV response progress,” Byanyima noted, emphasizing the necessity of equal access to essential services without fear or discrimination.

She warned that the bill would curtail free speech, freedom of movement, and association, obstruct access to life-saving services, undermine social protection, and jeopardize Ghana’s development success.

“The evidence indicates that punitive laws like this bill hinder efforts to end AIDS and ultimately undermine public health,” she emphasized.

The United States State Department expressed deep concern over the bill’s passage, stating it would “endanger all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.”

“Limiting the rights of one group undermines the rights of all. The United States joins Ghanaians in urging a review of the bill’s constitutionality to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

The US State Department also reiterated the bill’s detrimental impact on public health, media, civic spaces, and the economy, with international business coalitions warning of its adverse effects on business and economic growth in Ghana.