A group of 18 civil society organizations, led by CDD Ghana and CHRAJ, have expressed their strong opposition to the anti-LGBT+ bill that was recently passed by parliament.
The bill, which criminalizes same-sex relations and advocacy, has been widely criticized by human rights groups and activists as a violation of the Constitution and international law.
The civil society group has warned that if President Akufo-Addo signs the bill into law, they will challenge it in the Supreme Court.
They have urged the president to reject the bill and uphold the democratic values and principles of Ghana.
The bill has also drawn the ire of the United States, Ghana’s major ally and donor. The US State Department said in a statement that it was “deeply troubled” by the passage of the bill and called for a review of its constitutionality.
The statement said that the bill would criminalize anyone who identifies as LGBTQI+ or supports them and would undermine Ghana’s public health, media, civic spaces, and economy.
The US also echoed the call by some Ghanaians who have urged the president to veto the bill.
The bill is one of the harshest of its kind in Africa, and has been condemned by the United Nations as “profoundly disturbing”.
Anyone convicted under the bill could face up to 10 years in prison.
Source: Kofi Otuo Bekoe
