Anti-LGBTQ Bill Undermines Constitutional Rights- US Ambassador
The United States of America’s ambassador to Ghana H.E Virginia Palmer has argued the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill passed by Parliament violates constitutional rights.
She outlined three constitutional rights in a tweet after the Parliament passed it and branded it as “bad” for public order and public health.
“The bill Parliament passed takes away not only their basic human rights but those of all Ghanaians because it undermines their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press,” she said as she expressed her emotions towards it.
“I am saddened because some of the smartest, most creative, most decent people I know are LGBT.”
According to H.E Palmer, if assented into law by President Akufo-Addo, the country will have its economy impacted as well as its reputation globally.
“If enacted, it will also hurt Ghana’s international reputation and Ghana’s economy.”
Ghana’s Parliament on February 28, 2024 passed the Anti-LGBTQ bill after its initiation in 2021 by eight legislators.
The bill has been subjected to reviews and amendments in the past three years to enhance what some have said is inhuman punitive actions.
The bill among other things institutes three to five years of imprisonment for engaging in same-sex intercourse and imprisonment for anyone who produces, procures, or distributes material deemed to be promoting LGBT+ activities.
It also seeks to institute 6 months to 1-year imprisonment for a public show of amorous relations between people of the same sex; a ban on sponsoring LGBT+ groups; a ban on adoption and fostering for LGBT+ potential parents; prohibition of same-sex marriage; 6 months to 3 years imprisonment for anyone who harasses someone accused of being LGBT+ and others.
The international community has been reacting to the news with US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tweeting, “The Ghanaian parliament’s passage of a bill criminalizing members of the LGBTQI+ community imperils the rights of all its people, its international reputation, and its economic development. Ghana’s laudable tradition of tolerance will be undermined if this bill becomes law.”
