Ghana Bill Criminalizes LGBTQ People

Ghana’s parliament has passed "Human Sexual Rights & Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021” which will have severe & detrimental effects on the lives & freedoms of our LGBTQ community in Ghana. The bill violates the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights Resolution 275 that aims to protect individuals from violence & discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity & to ensure their equal protection under the law. Neela Ghoshal, Senior Director of Law, Policy & Research at Outright International stated, "Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ bill tramples human rights, undermines family values of acceptance & unity & risks derailing economic development & eroding democratic gains. Banning the very existence of queer people & their allies is unprecedented. The hostility this bill displays toward LGBTQ Ghanaians will put lives & livelihoods at risk”. David Stacy, HRC Vice President of Government Affairs concluded, “We are outraged to hear about the Ghanaian Parliament’s passage of the so-called ‘Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights &Ghanaian Family Values Act’ – a cruel bill that violates the fundamental rights of LGBTQI+ people & allies throughout Ghana. Every single lawmaker who voted to pass this bill is wrongly using their power to strip away the basic humanity of the people they are supposed to represent. We stand with our partners in Ghana during this harrowing time & we urge the Government of Ghana to reverse course on this bill that undermines human rights. We call on the international community to stand up for the rights of all LGBTQI+ people.” Just another wake-up call how crucial our upcoming presidential election is in this country to uphold the rights & dignity of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

For More Info…