Dear countrymen, Ghana’s parliament passed a highly controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill today 29 February 2024 Wednesday and that could send victims to prison for more than a decade.

Look, the bill was presented to parliament three years ago and criminalizes members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as its supporters, including promotion and funding of corresponding activities and public exhibitions of admiration.

Honestly speaking, Educate Africa Institute (EAI) has immensely contributed to this fight against the act and to the passage of the bill. EAI has advocated through the mainstream media and thanks to Adoa TV, Accra 100.5 FM, Angel TV, Atinka TV/FM, Adom TV/FM, and many more for the collaboration. We are happy to hear that it is done now.

According to reporters after the bill was passed one of its sponsors, lawmaker Sam George, said he felt relieved. “I feel like a burden has been taken from me,” he said.

The bill has been sent to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

The West African nation has generally been considered more respectful of human rights than most African countries and the bill has sparked condemnation among the international community and rights groups. The US Ambassador Virginia Palmer has made a statement that Ghana is now an intolerant nation and the international community may reject our deals economically.

However, a coalition of human rights activists said the bill violated fundamental human rights.

“This bill seeks to infringe on, among others, the rights to dignity, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to partake in processions, academic freedom, equality and non-discrimination,” said the group in a statement.

Sponsors of the bill defended it saying it seeks to protect children and people who are victims of abuse.

Lawmakers proposing the bill said they consulted influential religious leaders while drafting it. Among those endorsing it are the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and the country’s chief imam.

Nevertheless, EAI is urging H. E. The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo to assent to the bill immediately.

Ghana is a sovereign country. We are a proud nation.

Signed

William Boadi
Executive Director of EAI, Educationist, Political analyst, and Social Worker.
+233541935106.

EAI: Promoting Quality Education, and Ensuring Social Justice.