Ghana's president says anti-LGBTQ+ bill to undergo scrutiny before approval
via The Namibian2 min read
Ghana's president, John Mahama, stated that the new bill criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities will be scrutinized by his legal counsel and attorney general before its official approval. The bill, passed by parliament, proposes up to three years imprisonment for identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, and includes a "duty to report" prohibited acts to the police. Mahama mentioned that the bill would be referred to the Council of State if any problems are identified. He also noted procedural lapses in its passage, which are being addressed by the Speaker of parliament. This is the second time such legislation has been backed by MPs; a similar bill in 2021 was not assented to by Mahama's predecessor, former President Nana Akufo-Addo. The current version of the bill exempts punishment for legal, healthcare, and media professionals who provide services or report on LGBTQ+ news, but individuals identifying as "allies" of LGBTQ+ people could face prison sentences. The bill has faced criticism from rights groups for infringing on the rights of sexual minorities, with Human Rights Watch recommending its abandonment. However, proponents argue it will help preserve Ghanaian family values. Other African countries, such as Senegal and Uganda, have also recently implemented stricter anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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