In the conservative West African nation of Ghana, the parliament passed a bill that imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQIA, while also imposing a five-year jail term for those forming or funding LGBTQIA groups. It similarly proposes a jail term of up to 10 years for those involved in LGBTQIA advocacy campaigns aimed at children
The bill, dubbed “Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill”, has the backing of Ghana’s two major political parties. And it will come into effect if/when the country’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, signs it into law.
Engaging in same-sex sexual activity/ies is already against the law in Ghana, carrying a three-year prison sentence.
In a statement from UN’s body tackling Aids, Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, stated that if this becomes a 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. If it becomes law, it will obstruct access to life-saving services, undercut social protection, and jeopardize Ghana’s development success.”
Byanyima added that it would “obstruct access to life-saving services” and “jeopardize Ghana’s development success”.
The bill encourages the public to report members of the LGBTQIA community to authorities for “necessary action”.
