Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill that could imprison people for years
NPR Online NewsFeb 27, 2024
Ghana Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges to Anti-LGBTQ Bill
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Above: The Supreme Court in Accra, Ghana. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Image copyright: Ernest Ankomah/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
Ghana's Supreme Court, led by Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, has unanimously dismissed two legal challenges to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which aims to restrict LGBTQ rights in the country.
The bill, approved by Ghana's lawmakers in February, would impose prison sentences ranging from six months to three years for individuals engaging in LGBTQ-related activities.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This bill is essential to protect traditional Ghanaian cultural and family values from foreign influences threatening societal norms and structures. The legislation represents the will of the Ghanaian public, who strongly support the introduction of measures to preserve their cultural identity and moral standards.
Pro-establishment narrative
This proposed legislation violates fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, association, and equality before the law. This bill could have severe economic consequences for Ghana, potentially resulting in the loss of billions in international funding and damaging the country's global standing.
