September 18th 2023.
The revival of the "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill" has sparked major concern among the Ghanaian citizens. If passed, the bill would encourage people to out members of the LGBTQ+ community, risking attacks, kidnappings, and even lynching. Moreover, the bill explicitly criminalizes LGBTQ relationships and rights supporters, such as journalists, labeling them as "promoters" of these issues.
The bill has advanced to its final stages after it received its second reading in July 2023 and will become law soon unless the president decides to veto it. This is a frightening development for many, including Lariba, executive director and co-founder of gender activist group One Love Sisters Ghana. "Now, everything is turned upside down," she says. "It's not safe anywhere."
The fear of persecution is not unfounded. In April 2023, four men were reportedly beaten in Kumasi for being suspected of being gay. A month later, another man was stabbed multiple times after being lured to a location over a dating app due to his sexual orientation.
RFI reports that several of Ghana's MPs and religious and traditional leaders have supported the bill, making it even more likely to pass. Ghana is following the footsteps of other African countries, including Kenya and Uganda, which have put in place severe laws against the LGBTQ+ community. In March 2023, Uganda approved a bill that outlaws homosexuality with penalties including death and life sentences in prison. Gay sex is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in jail in Kenya.
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