The Ghanaian Parliament enacted the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which is also referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin
The bill was ultimately approved by lawmakers after all possible stages of consideration were completed, according to a report by Citi FM in Accra.
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) Board Chair, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, urged President Akufo-Addo to veto the bill the day before it was passed by Parliament.
Professor Gadzekpo contended that the bill infringes upon fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as the rights to equality, nondiscrimination, dignity, academic freedom, freedom of speech and association, and participation in procession.
Prof. Gadzekpo stressed that protecting rights and freedoms is essential to constitutional democracy during a press conference on human rights and a rights-based strategy for assisting sexual minorities in Ghana.
She emphasised the importance of the matter for all Ghanaians and cautioned that changing these rights could imperil the country’s democratic values.
In response to concerns about media freedom, CDD stated that the bill would restrict the freedom of expression of journalists and social media users by penalising them for covering LGBTQI+ issues. In addition, they denounced the bill for going against Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution, which forbids private member’s bills that put money into the public coffers.
The Human Rights Coalition and the “Big 18” pushed Parliament to reject the Anti-LGBTQI Bill, citing the significance of protecting the rights of all people. They cautioned that if the bill were to pass, it would violate both national and international human rights laws and jeopardise the media’s standing in society.
The bill outlaws LGBT advocacy, funding, and promotion and makes them illegal.
Those found guilty of the act could face a sentence of six months to three years in prison, while those who encourage and fund it could face a sentence of three to five years in prison.