Ghana Among the World’s Leading Anti-LGBTQ+ Gets Worse

March 4, 2024
ALEXANDER

Anti-LGBTQ in Ghana Gets Worse

As we have our own LGBTQ equal rights issues here in the U.S., things in other countries are getting worse as well. We already know that Putin has expanded anti-LGBTQ laws in Russia, a woman was even put into prison for five days for wearing rainbow frog earrings, and he has put the word out internationally calling the pro-LGBTQ movement extremist. Well, last week the country of Ghana amped up its anti-LGBTQ movement.

The “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill," first introduced in 2021, was unanimously passed by Ghana's Parliament. At the moment, gay sex is illegal and punishable by prison. This bill increases that scope and states that anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ can be sentenced to up to three years in prison. Three years just for identifying. The bill goes further and calls for FIVE years in prison for anyone who promotes, sponsors, or supports any activities that can be considered LGBTQ+ friendly. The bill just needs to be signed by the country's President who is on record as saying he will never decriminalize homosexuality.

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Fighting our cause in the country, LGBT+ Rights Ghana founder and director Alex Donkor says the bill will "endanger" members of the community. Their office was raided and closed by police three years ago. No big surprise. He told Al-Jeezera “It not only legalizes discrimination but also fosters an environment of fear and persecution. With harsh penalties for both LGBTQ individuals and activists, this bill threatens the safety and wellbeing of an already vulnerable community.”

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This bill, along with bills in Uganda and other African countries is being supported by international anti-LGBTQ Christian groups, including the U.S.-based organization Pat Robertson’s American Center for Law and Justice, all under the guise of protecting family values.

This bill is being condemned internationally by human rights organizations. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a press release in response stating, “I urge the Ghanaian Government to take steps to ensure everyone can live free from violence, stigma and discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consensual same-sex conduct should never be criminalized.” The U.S. Department of State also issued a condemning response.

Al-Jazeera has reported that to this date, no one has actually served time for the gay sex ban in Ghana. The addition of this bill may encourage the police to start doing that to show the need to restore "family values." Definitely not a good time for our community in that country.