Ghana recently passed a law targeting LGBTQ+ people and their supporters, making their activities, funding, and public displays of affection punishable — Anti-LGBTQ Law In Ghana.
Named the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, it was proposed in 2021 and awaits the president’s approval. This move has drawn criticism internationally and from rights groups, considering Ghana’s reputation for respecting human rights.
The bill, if enacted, could lead to imprisonment for those identifying with non-binary gender identities or sexual orientations. Sentences could range from three to more than ten years, depending on the offense.
What Is Anti-LGBTQ Law?
Laws that target LGBTQ individuals seek to limit their rights and protections in various areas like healthcare, education, employment, and public spaces. In recent years, the United States has seen a sharp rise in such laws.
The ACLU is closely monitoring 465 of these bills in state legislatures in 2024, with a particular focus on transgender individuals. Anti-LGBTQ groups often oppose LGBTQ rights, endorse discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and spread harmful stereotypes.
The Human Rights Campaign reported over 520 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures in 2023, with more than 220 targeting transgender and non-binary people. 70 anti-LGBTQ laws were enacted that year, including bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth and restrictions on LGBTQ+ education in schools.
In 2023, 75 anti-LGBTQ bills became law in the United States, covering restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, limitations on LGBTQ issues in classrooms, restrictions on transgender students’ participation in school sports, and rules on restroom use for trans individuals.
These laws reflect a worrying trend of targeting LGBTQ rights through legislation, posing significant challenges to their well-being and safety. They not only limit LGBTQ individuals’ rights but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
Organizations like the ACLU, SPLC, and HRC are actively monitoring and responding to these legislative attacks to safeguard the rights and dignity of LGBTQ people nationwide.
US kicks against Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ law
The United States is deeply worried about Ghana’s parliament passing a strict law against LGBTQ people. This law, called the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill, is one of the harshest in Africa.
It increases the maximum jail time for being LGBTQ from three years to five years. Also, it introduces jail time for those who support LGBTQ rights.
The law makes it broader for LGBTQ individuals to face criminal punishment. The US has criticized this law and is keeping a close watch on what’s happening in Ghana.
Read the News Below:
The United States has expressed disapproval of Ghana’s newly enacted anti-LGBTQ law.
In a significant move, Ghana’s parliament approved a bill on Wednesday that opposes the rights of LGBTQ individuals, proposing stringent penalties including up to five years’ imprisonment for those found guilty of promoting or supporting LGBTQ+ activities intentionally.
Additionally, the bill suggests a maximum prison term of 10 years for individuals engaged in LGBTQ+ advocacy targeting children, urging the public to report queer individuals to authorities for necessary legal action.
Sam George, the Member of Parliament representing Ningo-Prampram and the initiator of the bill, hailed its passage as a significant achievement, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding the nation’s values. George has been an outspoken proponent of cracking down on LGBTQ+ activities within Ghana.
Responding to this development, the United States issued a statement through Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US Department of State, expressing deep concern over the legislation’s passage.
Miller emphasized that such crackdowns would jeopardize the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly for Ghanaians, stressing that limiting the rights of one group undermines the rights of all.
“The United States 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,” Miller added.
Notably, Ghana joins the ranks of several African nations in implementing stringent anti-LGBTQ legislation. Last year, Uganda passed a similar law, featuring even harsher penalties such as life imprisonment and capital punishment.
The World Bank, in response to Uganda’s law, emphasized that it contradicted the bank’s values by excluding gender and sexual minorities, leading to a suspension in new financing to the country.
Subsequently, the US announced intentions to remove Uganda from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a special trade program providing duty-free access to the US for eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
As Ghana implements its anti-LGBTQ law, the international community watches closely, with the United States advocating for the protection of human rights and constitutional freedoms for all individuals.
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