Ghana’s anti-gay bill rejected by UN Human Rights Council

A few of opposition MPs in Ghana are putting the president in a tough position by pushing a law restricting the rights of sexual minorities. Ghana is a deeply religious country that claims to be exemplary in Africa in terms of human rights respect.

In the West African country, same-sex relationships are illegal, yet no one has ever been prosecuted under this colonial-era statute.

In Ghana, however, LGBT+ persons face a lot of prejudice.

A bill was tabled in parliament in early August to further restrict the rights of LGBT+ individuals.

It includes making it illegal to defend LGBT+ rights, requiring “suspects” to be reported, promoting conversion treatment, and imposing harsher prison penalties for homosexuality.

If parliament passes the measure, President Nana Akufo-Addo has the option of signing it into law or vetoing it.

The bill, which was brought to parliament by seven opposition MPs and one member of the presidential party, has been heavily criticised by the international world and human rights activists.

In a statement, a UN panel of experts stated, “Passing this bill in its current or even partial form would violate a considerable number of human rights, including the absolute ban of torture.”

“Not only will this criminalize LGBTI (intersex) persons, but it would also criminalize everybody who supports or sympathizes with human rights,” they warned.

However, given the bill’s popularity in Ghana, analysts and diplomats believe it will be impossible for the president to resist it.

According to a 2014 poll by the research company Afrobarometer, around 90% of Ghanaians support a law criminalizing same-sex partnerships.

Human Rights Watch researcher Wendy Isaack said, “The opposition party is using this proposed bill as a political tool to drive the existing government to take a stand.”

– A “demagogic” reform – President Akufo-Addo, who was re-elected in December for a second term, has stated that same-sex marriages will not be legalized.

However, the former human rights lawyer, who studied in the United Kingdom, is at odds with this statute.

“It’s clear that the president is unhappy with the change, but it’s a delicate matter because of public opinion,” a Western diplomat who did not want to be identified told AFP.

Another ambassador remarked, “The opposition has a red carpet to ride on this wave and pass a particularly demagogic bill.”

Homosexuality, according to proponents of the measure, is incompatible with Ghanaian culture.

“We need to protect our children who are being targeted by these LGBTQ+ people who are persuading them that this is a new way of life,” said Samuel Nartey George, one of its proponents.

The argument takes place at a time when the president is attempting to entice African-Americans and Ghanaians from the diaspora to return home.

Ghana, which is known for its democratic stability and respect for human rights, has been successful in attracting corporations such as Twitter, which just announced that it will create its first headquarters in Africa.

“If we get that much praise, it’s not for nothing,” says Henri Kwasi Prempeh, head of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development.

– Homophobia is on the rise-
“Only a few individuals believe the president would sign this law,” said Danny Bediako, director of the non-governmental organization Rightify Ghana.

“However, it’s complicated since religious institutions wield tremendous power.”

Ghana would be following in the footsteps of Nigeria and Uganda if it passed this law.

Human rights activists worry that these rules inadvertently incite prejudice and violence.

“Some are assaulted on the streets, are not treated in hospitals, and are ejected from their schools or even their homes,” Mr. Isaack explains.

Mr. Bediako claims that the debate “has already resulted in a rise in homophobia.”