US Frowns Against Anti-LGBTQ Law in Ghana 

A new bill that opposes LGBTQ+ rights and calls for a five-year prison sentence for those who “wilfully promote, sponsor, or support LGBTQ+ activities” was passed by Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday.

The measure also urges the public to report members of the queer community to police for “necessary action” and suggests a maximum 10-year jail sentence for anyone active in LGBTQ+ advocacy activities directed towards minors.

The bill’s primary sponsor, Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George, called it a significant victory and pledged to uphold the nation’s ideals.

George has been a strong supporter of the nation’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ activity.

The US expressed its reaction to the development in a statement released by US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller, saying that they were “deeply troubled” by the legislation’s passing.

Miller warned that the crackdown would jeopardize Ghanaians’ rights to free expression, the press, and assembly, all of which are guaranteed by the constitution.

“Limiting the rights of one group in a society undermines the rights of all,” the US government official added.

“Ghana’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights is a source of stability and prosperity that has long served as a model for countries around the globe.

“This legislation is inconsistent with these values and will, if it becomes law, undermine this laudable tradition.

“The United States echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.”

Ghana is now the most recent African nation to enact strong anti-LGBTQ laws thanks to the new law.

A similar law with harsher punishments like life in jail and execution was passed by the Ugandan government last year.

The World Bank declared that they would no longer be providing fresh funding to Uganda, citing the law as incompatible with the bank’s principles, which aim to safeguard gender and sexual minorities from marginalization in the programs they sponsor.

Two months later, Uganda was to be kicked out of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US-Africa trade initiative that was launched in 2000.

Nigeria and other qualifying sub-Saharan African nations are able to enter the US duty-free for over 1,800 products because to AGOA.