The Parliament of Ghana has passed into law the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The bill criminalizes all forms of LGBTQ+ activities and promotion.
The House passed the controversial Bill on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, through a voice vote after several attempts by some lawmakers to block it.
Parliament had initially approved a custodial sentence of three to five years for any willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities.
Those caught engaging in LGBTQ+ activities will also face a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum of three years.
Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the House to amend or delete clauses in the Bill that recommend custodial sentencing as the sole punishment for those found to be involved in or supporting LGBTQ+.
He proposed that the House opts for plea bargains and alternate forms of punishment, rather than jail, explaining that the country’s prisons are already overcrowded.
According to him, the prisons have no significant, real reformation facilities for offenders.
He, however, withdrew the proposal.
This comes after he failed to get the support for approval from the House.
The lead sponsor, Samuel Nartey George proposed that clauses 10 and 11 of the anti-LGBTQ Bill which deals with editorial policies of media firms be subjected to article 12 of the 1992 constitution which provides for the freedom of the media.
The amendments were approved by the House as part of the bill.
Meanwhile, the bill is expected to be forwarded to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.