Ghanaian MPs reintroduce controversial anti-LGBT bill

A group of 10 deputies in Ghana has re -submitted a controversial draft law that would impose some of the most difficult restrictions on gay rights in Africa.

The draft law describes a three -year prison sentence for people who know that they are gay, five to 10 years for promoters and defenders.

Parliament issued this legislation last year, but former President Akovo Ado refused to sign a law before leaving his post in January, Quoting legal challenges.

It has been widely condemned by local and international human rights groups, as some described it as Dracunian.

The original draft law has expired at the end of the previous parliament. It is not clear whether the new Parliament Speaker will recognize the bill for consideration.

Gay sex is already punished for three years in prison in the conservative West African country.

President John Dramani said that he prefers the draft law sponsored by the state, which guarantees broader support and consultation.

He said: “I think we should have a conversation on it again until we all move, if we decide to move this bill forward, or push him forward with consensus.”

Supporters claim that legislation will help in preserving what they consider to be the Ghanaian culture and family.

However, the rights groups have criticized legislation as Draconian.

“The Bay of Gay Control Law does not comply with Ghana’s long traditions of peace, tolerance, hospitality and flies in the face of international human rights obligations in the country,” said Larissa Kojoy, a researcher at Human Rights Witchc, last year.

“Such a law will not only increase the erosion of the rule of law in Ghana, but may also lead to more unjustified violence against gay and their allies.”

“Re-submitting the bill” frustrated and difficult to address it, but they insisted on the continued LGBT activity.

The potential impact of the draft law on Ghana’s economy is a major concern.

The former finance minister in the country warned that passing the draft law could lead to the loss of Ghana up to $ 3.8 billion (2.9 billion pounds) of evolutionary financing from the World Bank and affects the support program of the International Monetary Fund of $ 3 billion (2.3 billion pounds).

Displaced lawmaker John Netim Fordgore Reuters told Reuters that the country no longer needs to be afraid of economic sanctions, noting that US President Donald Trump is elected.

“The global political climate is favorable to conservative values, as shown in the bold conservative statements of President Donald Trump,” he said.

The draft law was first introduced to Parliament in 2021, but he faced many delay.