People ‘panicking’ as Ghana passes sweeping law criminalising LGBTQ+ activity
Community groups say some fear they could lose homes, jobs and access to healthcare if the new law is ratified by President John Dramani Mahama
TL;DR
- Ghana's parliament approved a bill criminalizing the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities and identifying as LGBTQ+.
- The bill mandates prison sentences of three to 10 years and is expected to be signed into law by the president.
- LGBTQ+ individuals fear losing homes, jobs, and access to healthcare, and are deleting online content.
- The new legislation expands criminal liability to include allies and those who provide services or advocacy.
- Amendments exempt healthcare professionals and lawyers from prosecution, but stigma may deter people from seeking help.
- Activists criticize the bill as a threat to fundamental freedoms and compare it to similar legislation in Uganda.
- Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is rising in West Africa, with Senegal and Burkina Faso also passing new laws.
- A coalition plans to challenge the Ghanaian bill in court, citing procedural irregularities.
- International rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have criticized the bill for endangering lives and encouraging denunciation.