Ghanaian parliamentarians adopted on Friday May 29 one of the most repressive anti-LGBT+ laws in Africa, which must now be ratified by President John Mahama to come into force.
The text “on sexual rights and family values” is considered very repressive because it provides for up to three years of imprisonment for a person who has had homosexual relations, and between three and five years for the “promotion, sponsorship or intentional support of LGBT+ activities”.
This law had already been unanimously adopted by Parliament in February 2024, but former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who was in office until January 7, 2024, did not sign the law. According to Ghana’s constitution, bills and proposed laws that are not signed by the president before the end of a legislature automatically lapse, requiring further consideration by the new parliament.
A very religious conservative country with a Christian majority
The bill retained its fundamental provisions, but provided exemptions for legal, media and health professionals. In Ghana, a very religious conservative country with a Christian majority, same-sex relations are prohibited by a law dating from the colonial era, but there have so far been no prosecutions on these grounds.
Human rights defenders and several international organizations have condemned the bill. The current head of state, John Mahama, affirmed his support for the bill during his campaign and after his election. The adoption of this law comes shortly after the toughening of the penalties incurred by LGBT+ people in Senegal.
Around ten African countries or territories provide for sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison, including Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Sierra Leone. The death penalty is applied in Uganda, Mauritania and Somalia.
