Ever since Ghana passed the controversial bill titled "Promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values," it has ignited a firestorm of debate.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk criticized the bill, stating, “The bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and even threatens punishment for those perceived as allies.”
In Accra, voices are rising against the bill's severity. An entrepreneur remarked, “Sentencing someone for their personal choices seems excessive. We need societal change, not punitive measures.”
Despite being passed three years after its introduction, civil society organizations like the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana deem the bill unnecessary. The chairperson of CDD Ghana emphasized, “Criminalizing queer individuals serves no purpose in our society.”
The bill prohibits public displays of LGBTQ+ affection and dismantles existing LGBTQ+ groups, prompting calls for legal challenge. Professor Audrey Gadzekpo emphasized, “It’s imperative for Civil Society Organizations to challenge this bill in court, as it contradicts our constitution.”
Convictions under the bill could result in up to ten years in prison, prompting outcry from local media outlets and advocacy groups. The UN, along with rights coalitions, have petitioned against the bill's enactment, urging President Nana Akufo-Addo not to sign it into law. Now, the fate of the bill rests on the president's decision.