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The Ghanaian parliament on Wednesday gave the green light to a bill that would criminalize homosexuality. People identified as LGBTQ can receive up to three years in prison. Several human rights organizations say they are afraid, but observers say it is unlikely that the law will actually come into effect.
The so-called ‘Human Sexual rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill’ has yet to be signed by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo. But the president will step down in December after two terms and may not want to damage his image abroad by putting his name under the law. However, he previously said that he will approve the law if a majority of Ghanaians want it.
The bill was initiated by a coalition of Christians, Muslims and traditional Ghanaian leaders. According to the text, persons who engage in homosexual acts could be punished with six months to three years in prison. Moreover, activists who defend LGBTQIA+ rights also face prison sentences of three to five years. Anyone who promotes gay rights aimed at children can even go to jail for ten years. People are also urged to report LGBTQ people to the authorities.
Same-sex sex is already banned in the predominantly Christian country. This carries a prison sentence of three years.
Activists fear that the new law will lead to a witch hunt against people from the LGBTQ community. Amnesty International has already warned that the legislation “poses a serious threat to the fundamental rights and freedoms” of LGBTQ people.
In addition to Ghana, other African countries are also working on stricter anti-gay legislation. Last year, a controversial law was passed in Uganda, which also allows the death penalty to be imposed in some cases.