Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ law - Regional Programme Political Dialogue in West Africa
Asset Publisher
IMAGO / Pond5 Images
Country reports
Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ law
by
Dr. Arne Wulff
After more than 2½ years of deliberation, Ghana's parliament voted in favor of a new anti-LGBTQ+ law, dramatically worsening the situation for homosexuals and sexual minorities.
On January 31, 2021, supporters of the LGBTQ+ community opened an office in Ghana's capital Accra. The office was intended to be both a meeting place and a retreat. The opening, which was accompanied by media attention and a number of foreign ambassadors, quickly attracted a great deal of attention in Ghanaian society. The fierce criticism that followed not only led to the rapid closure of the center, but also to the introduction of a radical anti-LGBTQ+ bill in parliament. It was signed by eight MPs: seven from the opposition NDC (National Democratic Congress) and one from the ruling NPP (National Patriotic Party). Hon. Samuel Nartey George (NDC), who was a close advisor to former President John Mahama before his election as a Member of Parliament, is regarded as the initiator and main proponent of the bill. He classifies homosexuality as a "perversion" that must be severely punished.
