Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday passed a highly controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill that could send some people to prison for more than a decade.
The bill, introduced in Congress three years ago, would criminalize members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies from promoting, funding, or publicly displaying affection.
After Wednesday’s passage of the bill, Rep. Sam George, one of the bill’s sponsors, told reporters he was relieved. “(I) feel like a weight has been lifted,” he said.
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The bill was sent to the President’s desk for signature.
The West African country is generally considered to be more respectful of human rights than most African countries, and the bill sparked condemnation among the international community and rights groups.
Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, speaks at Parliament House in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Miss Per Appoo)
A coalition of human rights activists claimed the bill violated fundamental human rights.
“This bill seeks to violate, among other things, the rights to dignity, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to participate in processions, academic freedom, equality and non-discrimination,” the group said in a statement.
The bill’s sponsors defended it as aimed at providing protection to children and people who are victims of abuse.
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Lawmakers proposing the bill said they consulted influential religious leaders while drafting it. Those supporting it include the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ghana, and the country’s chief imam.
