Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill

BBC Africa reports that Ghana's parliament has passed legislation that brings sexual acts between same-sex partners and advocacy for LGBTQ+ identity into the scope of criminal law. The bill took roughly two years to pass through committee; the Judicial Committee said the text was drafted to protect what it described as the country's traditional and religious values.

Human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticised the legislation and announced plans for a Constitutional Court challenge based on constitutional equality and privacy principles. Some representatives of churches and inter-faith dialogue committees said the bill reflects the will of the parliamentary majority. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce and the EU delegation drew attention to freedom of expression and minority-rights dimensions.

The president has 30 days to sign the bill or return it for reconsideration. If enacted, Ghana would follow Uganda and Nigeria in adopting similar legislation. This article is reporting that gives different parties equal weight and does not constitute legal, political or personal advice.