By: Jeremiah Nutsugah
The US Embassy in Ghana has expressed concerns over the recent passage of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, stating that the passage of the Bill could negatively impact Ghana’s international reputation and its economy.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the Parliament of Ghana approved the bill on Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, commonly referred to as the Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) bill.
A coalition of religious and traditional leaders sponsored the legislation that is favoured by most lawmakers and that passed in parliament
The bill would punish those who take part in LGBTQ sexual acts, as well as those who promote the rights of gay, lesbian or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities with time in prison.
In a tweet on X formerly known as Twitter, the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer, expressed concern regarding the recent passage of the bill, stating, “I am saddened because some of the smartest, most creative, most decent people I know are LGBT. The bill passed by parliament not only takes away their basic human rights but also those of all Ghanaians.”
US Embassy also stated that the passage of the Anti- LGBTQI Bill undermines their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.
It added that it will be bad for for public order and public health.
