Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s parliament has passed a bill that criminalizes homosexuality and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, with penalties including up to three years’imprisonment for identification as LGBTQ+.
The legislation, which also imposes a “duty to report “prohibited acts to the police, has been met with criticism from international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, which argues that it endangers LGBTQ+ individuals and encourages citizen surveillance.
The bill, reminiscent of colonial — era laws, has been a subject of contention among religious and human rights groups in Ghana. Its sponsor, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, claimed that the bill aimed to protect Ghanaian family and cultural values, but critics argue that it violates constitutional rights and could lead to discrimination and abuse. President John Dramani Mahama’s support for the bill, along with his previous statements about marriage and gender, indicates a broader trend in African countries toward stricter LGBTQ+ laws.
The potential ratification of this bill by Mahama has sparked fear among LGBTQ+ communities in Ghana, as it could further isolate and criminalize the LGBTQ+ population.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: BBC Africa
