Westminster is rattled. Ghana's parliament has just passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill. It's a sweeping piece of legislation. Criminalises LGBTQ+ identities, relationships, and advocacy. Penalties include prison time. Up to ten years for some offences.
The vote was emphatic. A cross-party consensus in Accra. The bill now awaits President Akufo-Addo's signature. He has signalled he will sign it.
Downing Street's response has been careful. The Foreign Office issued a statement. 'The UK is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including for LGBTQ+ people, across the Commonwealth.' But no specific threat of sanctions. No mention of aid cuts.
Here's the game. Ghana is a key partner. The UK sees it as a stable democracy in a volatile region. Trade deals, security cooperation, development aid all hang in the balance.
Labour is restless. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been vocal. He says the UK must 'use all levers' to oppose the bill. But what does that mean in practice? The government knows pulling aid risks pushing Ghana towards China or Russia.
There's a split in the Tory party too. The One Nation caucus is uncomfortable. The ERG is quiet. They see this as a sovereignty issue. 'We cannot dictate to African nations,' one backbencher told me.
The bill is popular in Ghana. Polls show overwhelming public support. That complicates things. Western condemnation can look like colonial overreach.
But the Commonwealth is watching. The organisation's charter includes a commitment to human rights. Several member states have raised concerns. Canada, Australia, New Zealand are all pressing for a firmer line.
What happens next? Akufo-Addo's signature is almost certain. Then the bill becomes law. Legal challenges may follow. But the damage is done. Ghana's LGBTQ+ community faces a bleak future.
For the UK, this is a test. Can it balance values with interests? The answer so far is yes. Quiet diplomacy, not megaphone diplomacy. Treasury officials are breathing a sigh of relief. No need for difficult spending choices.
But the mood in the Lobby is that this isn't over. The bill has energised activists in Britain. They are lobbying hard. Expect more parliamentary questions, more media scrutiny. The PM will face demands for action at the next Commonwealth summit.
For now, the game continues. The whispers in Whitehall are that the UK will tread carefully. No grand gestures. No ruptures. Just a hope that time and engagement will soften the law's edges. A hope that may be forlorn.
One thing is certain. The Ghana bill is a reminder that 'Commonwealth values' are contested. The UK's effort to lead on LGBTQ+ rights is hitting hard limits. Realpolitik, not principles, often wins.
