Ghana criminalizes homosexuality

The Parliament of Ghana, an African regional country, has approved a new bill that completely criminalizes homosexuality and the promotion of sexual minority (LGBTQ+) activities. Under these new legal provisions, if a person is identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or having a sexual minority identity, there is a possibility of being sentenced to imprisonment for up to three years.

In addition, this bill has also taken steps to make it a mandatory responsibility for the public to report such prohibited acts occurring in society to the police.

Since coming to power last year, religious leaders in the country have exerted strong pressure on President John Dramani Mahama to tighten anti-homosexuality laws, and for this new legislation to come into full effect, his official approval is still required. However, according to laws and regulations dating back to the British colonial era, same-sex relations were already prohibited in Ghana.

Addressing the assembly, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, who spearheaded the introduction of this bill to Parliament, stated that it would protect the family unit and cultural values of Ghanaians. He further emphasized that this new ban would be instrumental in strengthening, broadening, and tightening the existing legal framework for addressing the activities of the sexual minority community.

Several international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have strongly criticized this new legal measure. They point out that this not only puts the lives of the sexual minority community at severe risk but also encourages citizens to monitor and betray one another. Furthermore, anyone who supports or advocates for the sexual minority community also faces the risk of imprisonment under this law.