Ghana’s Legislative Landscape: Renewed Debate on Anti-LGBT Bill

Ghanaian political dynamics are shifting once more as another anti-LGBT bill is back on the legislative agenda, raising alarms among human rights advocates and raising the stakes for the LGBTQ+ community.

A coalition of 10 Members of Parliament in Ghana has reintroduced a contentious bill aiming to enact some of the strictest limitations on LGBT rights throughout Africa. The proposed law enforces severe penalties, including three years of imprisonment for individuals identifying as gay, and longer sentences of five to ten years for those who advocate or promote gay rights. The prior version of the bill passed through parliament last year but was vetoed by the former president, Nana Akufo-Addo, who cited ongoing legal issues before departing office in January.

The revived legislation has garnered widespread criticism from both local and international human rights organizations. They label it as excessively punitive and fundamentally opposed to the principles of dignity and human rights. Following the expiration of the original bill at the end of the previous parliamentary term, there remains uncertainty on whether the current parliamentary speaker will allow the new proposal to be discussed.

President John Dramani Mahama expressed his preference for a more democratically conceived approach to the bill, emphasizing the need for broad consultation and consensus among constituents. "We should engage in a thorough conversation about it," Mahama stated, suggesting that any movement on the bill should reflect wider societal agreement.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to uphold Ghanaian cultural and familial integrity. However, rights advocates counter that the legislation runs counter to Ghana's historical values of harmony and acceptance, potentially exacerbating violence against the LGBT community. "This bill could further damage Ghana's reputation and trigger acts of violence against already marginalized groups," noted Larissa Kojoué from Human Rights Watch.

LGBT activist Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi shared her profound disappointment over the bill's resurgence, yet pledged to persist in advocacy efforts despite the hurdles. The potential economic ramifications of the legislation are also a growing concern. Ghana's former finance minister warned that the bill could jeopardize up to $3.8 billion in foreign development funds and jeopardize the crucial $3 billion IMF assistance program.

Meanwhile, opposition member John Ntim Fordjour indicated optimism that international economic repercussions were less of a threat in the current geopolitical climate, pointing to the election of U.S. President Donald Trump as a sign of shifting perspectives in favor of conservative ideologies.

Originally proposed in 2021, the journey of the anti-LGBT bill through Ghana's parliament has been marked by numerous challenges and delays, reflective of the ongoing societal debates surrounding the rights of sexual minorities within the nation.