Ghana's parliament has passed a bill criminalising LGBTQ+ identities, a direct challenge to Western pressure on human rights. The bill, which imposes prison sentences for same-sex relations and advocacy, now awaits President Nana Akufo-Addo's signature.
The vote was a landslide. 96 MPs in favour, 47 against. The opposition came largely from the ruling New Patriotic Party's liberal wing. But the party whip was broken. A sign: even moderates fear the backlash from Ghana's socially conservative electorate.
Behind the scenes, the US and EU had lobbied hard. Diplomatic sources tell me they threatened aid cuts. But it backfired. The bill's sponsors framed it as a sovereignty issue. 'We will not be bullied,' one MP told me. 'Our culture is not for sale.'
The political calculus is clear. Akufo-Addo faces a tough re-election in 2024. The bill is popular. He cannot afford a veto. But he also fears a storm with western donors. He has not yet signed. Insiders say he is weighing a delay. Let the anger cool. Or perhaps a compromise: refer it to the Supreme Court for constitutional review.
The bill is a gift to the opposition. The National Democratic Congress will now paint the president as weak on 'Western imperialism.' Expect rallies. Expect a campaign to paint Akufo-Addo as a puppet.
And the West? They are furious. But their options are limited. Aid cuts would hurt the very people they claim to protect. And they would play into the narrative of bullying. The real game is in the court of public opinion. Ghana's urban youth are more liberal. But they are a minority. The rural vote swings elections.
This is a bellwether. Other African nations are watching. Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya. If Ghana holds the line, expect copycat bills. The battle for Africa's soul is just beginning.
