Ghana delays action on draconian anti-LGBTQ+ bill after court challenge and economic warning
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An investigative report on Ghana’s president delaying action on an anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by parliament last week has revealed a complex web of legal challenges and economic implications. President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to hold off on signing the bill into law comes amidst mounting pressure from both domestic and international sources.
The bill in question, known as the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was passed unanimously by Ghana’s parliament on 28 February. It seeks to impose harsh penalties on individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, with provisions for up to three years in prison for simply identifying as such. Those who fund or organize queer groups could face up to five years in prison, while advocating for LGBTQ+ minors could result in a 10-year jail sentence.
The shockwaves caused by the bill’s passage have rippled through diplomatic circles, with concerns raised about Ghana’s reputation as a defender of human rights and adherence to the rule of law. President Akufo-Addo acknowledged these anxieties in a statement shared on Facebook, assuring the public that no backsliding on human rights would be tolerated under his watch.
However, the Finance Ministry of Ghana delivered a stark warning to the president, leaked to various news outlets, about the potential economic consequences of enacting the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. According to the ministry, Ghana could lose up to $3.8 billion in World Bank funding if the bill becomes law, jeopardizing the country’s economic recovery efforts.
In response to these pressures, President Akufo-Addo announced that he would delay action on the bill pending a Supreme Court challenge to its constitutionality. This move has been met with mixed reactions from LGBTQ+ and human rights groups, who have criticized the legislation as draconian and discriminatory.
Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué called on the president to veto the bill, warning that it could lead to further violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and erode Ghana’s commitment to human rights. Amnesty International’s Ghana country director, Genevieve Partington, described the passage of the bill as “shocking and deeply disappointing,” emphasizing the need to protect freedoms of speech and assembly.
The parallels between Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill and Uganda’s previous experience with similar legislation have not gone unnoticed. The World Bank halted new loans to Uganda after the passage of harsh anti-homosexuality laws, citing a fundamental contradiction with their values of inclusion and non-discrimination.
As Ghana navigates the legal and economic implications of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, President Akufo-Addo faces a critical decision that could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s reputation and future. The outcome of the Supreme Court challenge and the president’s ultimate response will shape Ghana’s position on human rights and LGBTQ+ rights for years to come.
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