Ghana Resurrects Stricter Anti-LGBT Bill

Ghanaian lawmakers recently reintroduced a controversial anti-LGBT bill that would impose stricter penalties on same-sex relationships, a move that LGBT advocates have described as “disheartening,” while some officials worry that it would impact international funding, the Associated Press reported this week.

Last week, 10 lawmakers reintroduced a draft law that was initially approved by parliament in February 2024 but never signed into law by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Akufo-Addo refused to sign the bill, saying that he was waiting until the country’s supreme court ruled on a challenge filed against it. But the court rejected the challenge in December, shortly after Akufo-Addo lost that month’s presidential elections.

The new President John Dramani Mahama – who took office in January – has expressed support for passing the draft law, but indicated that he prefers a government-sponsored bill rather than one pushed by individual members of parliament.

Under existing Ghanaian law, same-sex sexual activity is punishable by up to three years in prison. The reintroduced bill will seek to extend the maximum penalty to five years and criminalize the “willful promotion, sponsorship, or support” of LGBT activities.

Since its introduction last year, the anti-LGBT bill prompted concern and criticism from human rights activists and the international community, with the United Nations calling it “profoundly disturbing.”

However, supporters counter that the bill aims to protect Ghanaian values, as well as children and victims of abuse.

Even so, Ghana’s Ministry of Finance warned last year that enacting the law could put $3.8 billion in World Bank funding at risk and disrupt a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout package agreed upon in 2023.

Ghana is currently recovering from its worst recession in decades.

Despite these warnings, some lawmakers downplayed fears of economic repercussions and economic sanctions, citing that “the global political climate is favorable for conservative values,” Reuters noted.