Ghana’s parliament has passed a controversial bill that criminalises LGBTQ+ identities and advocacy, a move that has drawn sharp rebuke from the United Kingdom. The legislation, which imposes prison sentences of up to 10 years for same-sex relations and up to five years for promoting LGBTQ+ rights, marks a significant escalation in the country’s decades-long crackdown on queer communities. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the bill as a “colonial relic” that contravenes the Commonwealth’s commitment to human rights and equality, urging Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo to withhold his signature.
The bill, titled the “Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” was passed unanimously by Ghana’s 275-member parliament after months of debate. It not only criminalises same-sex acts but also outlaws the funding or organisation of LGBTQ+ groups, effectively rendering queer activism a state crime. Supporters argue the law upholds “Ghanaian cultural values” and protects children from grooming, though no evidence has been presented to support these claims. President Akufo-Addo, who has previously stated he will not sign any bill that contravenes the constitution, now faces a difficult choice between domestic populism and international condemnation.
Britain’s response has been swift and pointed. Lammy, speaking at a press conference in Accra, framed the issue within the context of Commonwealth principles. “The Commonwealth is built on the pillars of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This bill stands in direct opposition to those values. We urge Ghana to step away from this colonial relic of persecution and embrace the Commonwealth of today, which celebrates diversity and protects the vulnerable.” The UK has threatened to review aid packages and trade preferences if the bill becomes law, echoing sanctions imposed on Uganda after it passed similar legislation in 2023.
Human rights organisations have condemned the bill as a “green light for persecution”. Amnesty International’s Ghana director, Marie Akuffo, warned that it would “embolden vigilante attacks and deepen stigma against an already marginalised community”. The timing is particularly fraught: Ghana is already grappling with a severe economic crisis, with inflation topping 30 per cent and the government seeking a $3 billion bailout from the IMF. Analysts fear the bill could deter foreign investment and tourism, further straining the economy.
Yet the bill’s passage reflects a broader trend across Africa, where at least 30 countries still criminalise same-sex relations. In Ghana, where religious and traditional leaders wield significant influence, the bill enjoyed cross-party support. MPs argued that Western powers have no right to impose their values on African nations, a sentiment echoed by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who stated that “Ghana’s sovereignty must be respected”. This rhetorical battle between “cultural authenticity” and “universal human rights” has become a central flashpoint in post-colonial geopolitics.
President Akufo-Addo has 21 days to sign or veto the bill. If he signs, Ghana will join a small but growing list of nations that have intensified crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights in recent years, including Uganda, Kenya, and Russia. If he vetoes, he risks alienating his political base ahead of the 2024 elections. For the UK, the bill represents a litmus test for its post-Brexit foreign policy, which has sought to reposition Britain as a champion of global human rights. But critics question whether Labour’s government will genuinely act or merely issue statements, given the economic interdependence at play.
For the queer Ghanaians watching from the shadows, their future now hinges on the stroke of a pen. As one activist, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it: “We are not just fighting for love. We are fighting for our lives. And the world’s attention must not waver.”
