The US State Department has voiced strong disapproval after Ghana’s Parliament passed a bill criminalizing LGBTQ activities and prohibiting their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
The bill, known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, imposes jail terms for individuals engaged in such activities and imposes even harsher penalties for promoters and sponsors. The bill now awaits presidential assent to become law.
Prior to its passage, sponsors of the bill initiated a motion for further consideration, proposing amendments to align editorial policies of media firms with the country’s constitution. The House approved these amendments, rejecting a motion to subject the funding of LGBT activities to the constitution.
The approval of the bill follows a call from Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, urging President Akufo-Addo to reject it, arguing that it undermines fundamental human rights protected by the Constitution. The United Nations has also warned that the proposed law would institutionalize discrimination and violence against sexual minorities.
In a statement reacting to the passage of the bill, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern, stating that the legislation would threaten all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. The US echoed the call by Ghanaians urging a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.
The US State Department also noted that the bill would undermine Ghana’s public health, media, and economy, and is inconsistent with the country’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights.
The passage of similar laws in other countries has led to widespread abuse and suspension of funding, and the US is urging Ghana to reconsider the bill’s potential impact on human rights and economic growth.
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062.
