United Nations (UN) officials have asked the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo not to sign into the anti- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) law that was passed on Wednesday, February 27, 2024.
The United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk called parliament’s passing of the bill “profoundly disturbing” and urged the government not to sign it into law.
“The bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual and queer people – simply for being who they are – and threatens criminal penalties against perceived allies of LGBTQ+ people,” he said.
Winnie Byanyima, executive director of the United Nations Aids agency (UNAIDS), said in a statement that the bill would affect everyone if it became law.
“It will exacerbate fear and hatred, could incite violence against fellow Ghanaian citizens, and will negatively impact on free speech, freedom of movement and freedom of association,” read the statement in part.
She warned that punitive laws as embodied by the bill, are a barrier to ending AIDS, and ultimately undermine everyone’s health.
“Ghana is a respected member of the Human Rights Council and global leader in fighting inequality. If the Human Sexual Rights & Family Values Bill becomes law, it will exacerbate fear & hatred, obstruct access to lifesaving services, undercut social protection & undermine the fight to end AIDS,” she said.
Ghana Anti-LGBTQ Law
Ghana’s parliament passed an anti-homosexuality bill that intensifies a crackdown on the rights of LGBTQ people in the West African country.
A coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders sponsored the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act which has amended the previous three years sentence for gay sex.
The bill proposes a prison sentence of up to five years for willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ.
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MP Who Sponsored the Bill
Sam George, one of the main sponsors of the bill said it the parliament passed it for God and for the benefit of the country.
“After three long years, we have finally passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act.I am grateful to my Colleague sponsors who have waged this battle with me to a successful end. Our values would be protected and defended so long as we have a voice,” he said on X.
“My heart is broken and devastated at the moment, that’s all I can say for now” Angel Maxine, Ghana’s first openly transgender musician and LGBTQI+ activist, told Reuters, adding “My pronouns are She/ her/ hers.”
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President to make the final decision
The bill, one of the harshest of its kind in Africa, still needs presidential assent to come into force.
The president has not confirmed if he will sign the bill into law.
He avoided the debate on the bill and said he will react once the Members of Parliament (MP) cast their votes.
The bill, which was introduced in the parliament in 2021, not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships, but also those who support LGBTQ rights.
Uganda Signs Anti-LGBTQ Law
In March 2023, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed tough anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality.
The law stipulates a 20-year sentence for promoting aggravated homosexuality and life in prison for gay sex.
Aggravated homosexuality involves gay sex with people under 18 years old or when a person is HIV positive, among other categories, according to the law.
More than 30 African countries, including Uganda and Ghana already illegalized same-sex relationships.
