Ghana’s parliamentary Speaker, Alban Bagbin, has given the clearest indication yet that proposed anti-homosexual legislation will be passed before the Christmas break.
The bill, which is in the final stages of consideration in parliament, prescribes a 10-year jail term for LGBT+ advocates and a three-year imprisonment for people who identify as gay.
It also outlaws funding for LGBT+ activities. Gay sex is already illegal in Ghana, but the new bill has included lesbianism and, in a bizarre move, marriage to objects.
The main proponent of the legislation, Samuel Nartey George, said that he will expose members of parliament who have allegedly been compromised by LGBT+ advocates to stop the bill from being passed into law.
But the majority of MPs have denied the allegations, saying there were still underlying issues that needed to be addressed.
The proposed anti-gay legislation was first presented to MPs in August 2021 but was widely criticised both at home and abroad.
Those who oppose it say that if passed into law, it will infringe on the rights and freedoms of LGBT+ persons guaranteed in the constitution.
But proponents of the bill argue it will help preserve Ghanaian family values.
