Ghana Set to Sign New Law That Bans Same-Sex Marriage and LGBTQ+ Promotion
By TUW
Ghana is preparing to introduce a strict new law that will ban same-sex marriage and make it a crime to promote or support LGBTQ+ activities. President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that he will sign the bill once Parliament passes it.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill states that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Anyone who takes part in or supports same-sex weddings would be committing an offence.
The bill also includes heavy punishments.
- People who identify as LGBTQ+ could face up to 3 years in prison.
- Anyone who promotes, funds, or supports LGBTQ+ activities could face up to 10 years in prison.
These penalties add to Ghana’s older laws that already criminalize same-sex sexual activity. If signed, the bill will become one of the toughest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the region.
Mahama says the law is meant to protect “traditional family values,” while human rights groups warn it will increase discrimination and limit personal freedoms.
