Matthew Miller, US State Department Spokesperson, says the US is deeply troubled by Ghana’s Parliament’s passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. He said the Bill would threaten all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.

“The Bill seeks to criminalise any person who simply identifies as LGBTQI+, as well as any friend, family, or member of the community who does not report them. “Limiting the rights of one group in a society undermines the rights of all. The United States echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana,” he said in a press release. The Spokesperson said the Bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy.

Mr Mitchell took to X, formerly Twitter on Thursday, 29th of February, and said the passage of the bill would undermine the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Ghanaians. “If it becomes law, this will undermine freedoms for all Ghanaians,” his post read.

He called on Ghana to uphold human rights by living up to the “constitutional and international obligations”. The reaction follows Ghana’s Parliament’s passing of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill after a third reading on 28th February 2024. The bill is currently awaiting presidential assent.

Today, it’s getting harder to imagine being thrown in jail for just being who you are or for who you love, but there were times when LGBT+ people went through even worse around the world. We are getting tired of trying really hard to prove that this is not a disease that needs to be cured. We do what we can to make their lives normal.

As global movement fighting for equality, we appreciate loud, authentic people who are not afraid to take risks. Pushing boundaries is what we love!

Presently, the West African nation is seeking to intensify its efforts in criminalizing the LGBTQ community. If the proposed bill is ratified, individuals engaging in same-sex sexual activities could face penalties of either fines or imprisonment for a period ranging between three to five years.

Furthermore, the law would also treat LGBTQ individuals as criminals—identifying as lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual, queer, pansexual, or non-binary (those who do not identify strictly as male or female) would result in a sentence of five years of incarceration.

Today, it’s getting harder to imagine being thrown in jail for just being who you are or for who you love, but there were times when LGBT+ people went through even worse around the world. We are getting tired of trying really hard to prove that this is not a disease that needs to be cured. We do what we can to make their lives normal.

As global movement fighting for equality, we appreciate loud, authentic people who are not afraid to take risks. Pushing boundaries is what we love!

There is a widespread expectation that the bill will secure sufficient votes to be enacted into law in Ghana, a deeply religious society where instances of homophobic persecution are prevalent. The bill enjoys substantial support among the Ghanaian population as well. Even if the bill ultimately gets rejected, it has already placed the lives of LGBTQ individuals in jeopardy "due to the discussions it has generated and the homophobia it will embolden," warned Nana Yaa Agyepong, a member of Silent Majority Ghana, a transnational queer feminist group. .

"We cannot afford to have this because there are Ghanaians who deserve to live safely and peacefully in their own homes, without being compelled into exile," she emphasized in Accra.

Rights activist Agyepong finds this deeply concerning as it "suppresses discussions and opposing viewpoints regarding the bill, preventing individuals from engaging in public education, media appearances, or even expressing their views on social media platforms," she explained

Sam George, one of the eight parliament members who proposed the bill, stated that his decision was influenced by what he perceived as the "growing advocacy" and "propaganda" of Ghana's LGBTQ community.

George firmly believes that there is no room for compromise when it comes to curbing all forms of LGBTQ activism. He emphasized, "According to our constitution, rights can be restricted if they pose a threat to public safety, public health, and public morality. Homosexuality, in this regard, poses both a public health and a public moral challenge."

George's statements highlight his intention to bring the country's laws in line with prevailing beliefs and to address what he perceives as potential threats associated with homosexuality.

The governing New Patriotic Party NPP has denounced the practice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) in Ghana.

According to the National Chairman of the NPP Stephen Ayensu Ntim, the party believes in the religious and cultural values that frown against the practice and will not go to the contrary to such beliefs.

Mr. Ntim communicated the NPP’s stance on this controversial issue at the one-year thanksgiving service for the National Executives at Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) – Atomic in Accra on Sunday, July 16, 2023.

The incumbent party has been under pressure to declare their stand on issues regarding same-sex marriage after they were accused by some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC of hatching a plan to stop the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in parliament.

The National Chairman of the NPP during the service, missed no opportunity to vehemently speak against those pushing to legalize LGBTQ+ in Ghana.

“The New Patriotic Party which I represent as national chairman, wishes to articulate explicitly in no uncertain terms that we have a position on the topic of LGBTQ+ that is making rounds not just in Ghana but across the globe, and our position is simple, we as a unit frown on the practice of LGBTQ+”

“Most of you here agree with me that, Ghana as a country collectively abhors LGBTQ practice, why would I, my general secretary, and all the Men here stoop so low and opt for LGBTQ+?" he asked.

“I want to state emphatically without any fear, that the NPP that I chair will never support the acts of LGBTQ,” he told the congregation.

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