An anti-LGBTQ+ bill is gaining traction in Ghana as the Anglican Church in Ghana’s House of Bishops has thrown its support behind it, with The Telegraph describing the proposed legislation as the “toughest anti-gay law” in the world. Although same-sex relations are already criminalised in Ghana, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 would enforce harsher prison sentences of up to 5 years.
Those who are considered to be LGBTQ+ allies could also face 10 years of imprisonment, with parliamentary debates on the bill due to begin in the coming weeks. The UN has condemned the bill “which seems to establish a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ persons.” It added: “Given that LGBTQ+ people are present in every family and every community…this legislation could create a recipe for conflict and violence.”
Despite previously refusing to legalise same-sex marriage, Ghanian president – Nana Akufo-Addo – told PeaceFM radio that debates will be “civil” and that lawmakers and Ghanian citizens will “recognise the need for us to be tolerant of each other when there are opposing views.”