The United Kingdom has issued a formal condemnation of Ghana’s proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, warning that the bill undermines the core principles of the Commonwealth. The legislation, which would impose prison sentences of up to 10 years for same-sex relations and criminalise advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, has drawn international criticism for its potential to incite violence and discrimination.
The UK’s Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, stated that the bill ‘directly contradicts the Commonwealth Charter, which affirms the equality and dignity of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.’ The charter, adopted in 2012, commits member states to uphold human rights and the rule of law. Ghana’s bill, known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was introduced by a coalition of religious and traditional leaders and passed its first reading in parliament in August 2021.
The bill’s supporters argue that it protects Ghanaian cultural values and shields children from exposure to homosexuality. However, human rights organisations have noted that the legislation would effectively criminalise LGBTQ+ identity itself, as it prohibits not only same-sex acts but also any form of expression or association. The bill also targets allies, making it illegal to provide support or services to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Dr. Helena Vance, Science & Climate Correspondent, offers a perspective on the broader context: ‘While this is a human rights issue, it also intersects with public health and climate resilience. Discriminatory laws can hinder access to healthcare for marginalised groups, reducing a country’s ability to respond to pandemics and climate-related health crises. In a warming world, we need robust social resistance, not fragility.’
The UK’s condemnation places it at odds with several other Commonwealth nations, including Nigeria and Uganda, which have recently tightened anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The Commonwealth, comprising 54 nations, has a mixed record on LGBT rights. While the UK, Canada, and Australia have progressive laws, many African and Caribbean member states retain colonial-era sodomy laws.
Ghana’s government has yet to formally respond to the UK’s statement. However, President Nana Akufo-Addo has previously indicated that he would not sign the bill into law if it violates constitutional rights. The Ghanaian Supreme Court is currently considering a challenge to the bill’s constitutionality.
The UK has threatened to review aid and trade relations with Ghana if the bill passes, echoing measures taken against Uganda following its Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023. The Ugandan law triggered sanctions from the US and the World Bank, and the UK suspended some direct budget support.
The situation highlights a growing rift within the Commonwealth over human rights. As Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has noted, the organisation must reconcile its commitment to diversity with the sovereign rights of member states. For now, the fate of Ghana’s bill remains uncertain, but the UK’s intervention signals that the international community is watching closely.
