Ghana’s Parliament has passed a Bill that puts an end to the rights of people who identify as LGBTQ or those in support of their activities in the country.
The new bill, commonly referred to as ‘The Anti-Gay Bill’, now imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the “willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities.”
The Bill which received an overwhelming support from lawmakers, had been sponsored by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders.
Same-sex intercourse in Ghana was already punishable by up to three years in prison, the passed bill now clamps down further the community’s rights.
Opposition lawmaker Sam George, the main sponsor of the bill, is now calling on President Nana Akufo-Addo to ascend to it.
The bill has been widely condemned by rights activists in Ghana, saying passing of the bill would “further marginalize and endanger LGBTQ individuals in Ghana.”
The Bill now waits for validation by the President before it becomes law. President Akufo-Addo has not confirmed if he will sign the bill into law.
