Two months after Senegal, it is Ghana’s turn to adopt a law heavily sanctioning homosexuality. Ghanaian MPs voted on Friday May 29 by a very large majority for this anti-LGBT+ law which must now be ratified by President John Mahama. This text “on sexual rights and family values” providing for up to three years of imprisonment for people who have had homosexual relations. Any individual who has committed the crime is also punishable by three to five years in prison. “intentional promotion, sponsorship or support of LGBT+ activities”.
Criminalization of homosexuality in many African countries
Already adopted unanimously by Parliament in 2024, this law could not come into force, the former president not having had time to sign it. If the bill has retained its fundamental provisions in the new text, it now includes several exemptions. Freedom is given to lawyers to represent LGBT+ people without incurring sanctions. The media will also be able to continue to cover issues related to the LGBT+ community. Members of this community will have access to care and will be able to have surgery.
If several international organizations have condemned this bill, John Mahama should soon add his signature to the text: “I believe in the principles and values that there are only two sexes: man and woman. And that marriage is between a man and a woman”he argued. Mid-March, Senegal adopted a law doubling the penalties for homosexual relations, now punishable by five to ten years in prison in this predominantly Muslim country. Around ten African countries today sanction relations between people of the same sex more or less heavily.
