Ghana has taken a significant step backward in human rights as its parliament approved a controversial bill that criminalises LGBTQ+ identities and activities. The newly ratified legislation imposes severe prison sentences of up to ten years for those found guilty of promoting or supporting LGBTQ+ rights, leaving many in the community in a state of panic. Rights groups warn that the implications of this bill extend far beyond mere legal penalties, threatening the livelihoods, safety, and mental wellbeing of countless individuals.
A Legislative Leap Backwards
On Friday, Ghana’s lawmakers passed a sweeping bill that not only criminalises the identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer but also targets allies and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. The new law is expected to be signed into legislation by President John Dramani Mahama, coming on the heels of a similar proposal that had stalled during the previous administration of Nana Akufo-Addo.
Community leaders, such as Leila Lariba, director of One Love Sisters Ghana, have expressed deep concern about the chilling effect this law will have. “People are panicking and scared. The new bill affects where you are staying; it can get you evicted; it can lead you to lose your job,” she stated. With many fearing for their safety, individuals have begun to erase their online presence, taking down posts that could expose their identities.
The Expansive Reach of the Law
The legislation is being branded as the “human sexual rights and family values bill,” and its ramifications are extensive. It includes provisions that mandate prison sentences of three to ten years for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+, as well as for those accused of promoting or advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Moreover, the bill requires citizens to report suspected LGBTQ+ individuals, creating an environment of distrust and fear.
While amendments to the bill offer limited protections for healthcare professionals and lawyers who serve LGBTQ+ clients, activists warn that the stigma and fear generated by such legislation will likely deter many from seeking essential services, including healthcare and HIV testing. “It’s going to be higher than it was before,” Lariba cautioned, as she noted that the current atmosphere of hostility is likely to escalate.
A Broader Context of Repression
The decision to pass this legislation coincides with Ghana hosting the fourth African inter-parliamentary conference on family values and sovereignty, which runs from June 3 to 6. This event, the first of its kind in Ghana after previous editions in Uganda, is seen by many as a platform for promoting conservative and repressive policies across the continent.
Ebenezer Peegah, director of Rightify Ghana, highlighted the broader implications of the bill, stating, “This bill is very far-reaching: it criminalises identity; it criminalises services, including the operations of civil society groups and doctors giving care to the LGBTQ community.” He emphasised that the repercussions extend beyond Ghana, representing a coordinated effort to suppress LGBTQ+ rights