Washington D. C. – Ghana’s parliament achieved unanimous approval on Wednesday for a contentious anti-homosexuality bill, sparking global criticism. Sam George, a key advocate for the bill, announced on X (formerly Twitter), “After three lengthy years, we have successfully passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act.”
Introduced in 2021, the legislation not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships but also targets those advocating for LGBTQ rights. Many African nations still criminalize same-sex activity due to colonial-era laws, and recent bills across the continent seek to clarify and, in some instances, strengthen such regulations.
An investigation by The Saharaa uncovered alleged connections between a U.S. nonprofit and the formulation of these homophobic laws, though the group vehemently denied any involvement. Before becoming law, Ghana’s president must still approve the bill.
Volker Türk, the United Nations human rights chief, expressed deep concern over parliament’s approval, urging the government not to enact the legislation. Türk remarked, “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.”
Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, cautioned that the legislation, if enacted, would have wide-ranging consequences, affecting everyone and impeding Ghana’s efforts against HIV and AIDS. She stressed the importance of inclusive approaches for the nation’s progress in combating HIV.
In response to the bill, the United States State Department expressed deep concern, emphasizing that the law would jeopardize constitutionally-protected freedoms in Ghana. The State Department urged a review of the bill’s constitutionality to safeguard the rights of all individuals. The potential impact on public health, media, civic spaces, and the economy was also highlighted, with international business coalitions warning of harm to business and economic growth in Ghana due to such discriminatory legislation.
