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BY: Maryjane Yartey
Ghana, a nation known for its exclusive culture and democratic progress, finds itself at crossroads regarding the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals.
While the country boasts a relatively stable democracy with a thriving civil society, recent societal attitudes and legislative proposals threaten the freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community.
In July 2021, “The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill” was introduced to parliament. This bill, far from promoting human rights, proposes to criminalize the act of identifying as LGBTQ+, advocating for these rights, or promoting same-sex relationships.
The bill has faced strong condemnation from human rights groups domestically and internationally since its introduction; with the United Nations Secretary-General, describing it as a “regressive step”.
The “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill” which is however yet to be signed into law by the president was passed by the Ghanaian parliament on February 28, 2024.
The United Nations Secretary-General, human rights organizations like Amnesty International, and several Western governments have also expressed concern. These entities have urged the Ghanaian government to uphold its human rights obligations and foster a more inclusive society.
On the other hand, Ghanaian religious beliefs and cultural norms often paint homosexuality as deviant and contrary to our values. This leads to social exclusion, bullying, and even violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
According to a 2023 report by Amnesty International, 85% of LGBTQ+ Ghanaians surveyed have experienced verbal abuse, and 29% have faced physical violence due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The report states that this ambiguity contributes to the creation of an aura of fear and uncertainty.
While the current situation appears bleak, the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana remains uncertain. The proposed legislation poses a significant threat to democracy and is contrary to the provision of “freedom for all”, made available in the 1992 constitution.
It is okay if the practice of lesbianism, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are against our Ghanaian values. But what we should be asking ourselves as a country is that is it right to go against the laws of the land. The laws that were specifically drafted to govern our country Ghana?
I expect Ghana as a country that once had to fight to gain freedom from colonial rule to better understand how it feels like not to have freedom. Let me make it clear, neither am I in favour of the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities in the country nor in favour of taking away their rights to enjoy freedom.
I honestly don’t second the criminalizing of the LGBTQ community. Why? Because it will incur costs for the government and infringe on the rights of people. Our prisons are already choked with prisoners living under unhealthy conditions and less funding from the government.
The issue of the LGBTQ community’s rights is a very sensitive one that might even birth forth instability in the current peaceful country. While proponents of the bill are advocating for the right thing to be done, I want to encourage the Ghanaian government to adopt a more rights-based approach to this matter.
Source: Adoanews.com
