Between March 26 to 29, 2023, US Vice President Kamala Harris was in Ghana as part of a tour to three African countries including Tanzania and Zambia.
As part of her visit to Ghana, Kamala Harris held talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on various matters following which the two held a joint press conference at the seat of government.
One of the major highlights of the press conference was the US vice president expressing concerns about the anti-LGBTQ+ bill currently before the parliament of Ghana and emphasising her position and that of the US government on issues of homosexuality.
"I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting the freedom and supporting the fighting for equality among all people, and that all people be treated equally. I will also say that this is an issue that we consider, and I consider to be a human rights issue, and that will not change," she said.
In response, President Akufo-Addo outlined the status of the bill and steps before it is considered as law.
On the specific comments of the two leaders, American media outlet CNN reported that President Akufo-Addo through his comments had sent indication that “the bill may end up being watered down.”
The report describing the anti-LGBTQ+ bill as “draconian,” also referenced the reaction of the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George who is one of the proponents of the bill to the address.
Akufo-Addo made the disclosure Monday at a joint press conference with US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who’s on a tour of the West African country.
He pointed out that the proposed legislation, framed in the guise of “family values” – which seeks to introduce some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws on the African continent – was not legislation introduced by his government but a private members’ bill. The bill was first introduced in parliament in August 2021.
“The bill is going through the parliament. The attorney general has found it necessary to speak to the committee (the constitutional and legal committee of parliament) about it regarding the constitutionality … of several of its provisions. The parliament is dealing with it. At the end of the process, I will come in,” the Ghanaian leader said.
After parliamentary deliberations, a final bill will be sent to the president for assent.
“My understanding … is that substantial elements of the bill have already been modified as a result of the intervention of the attorney general,” Akufo-Addo said.
In suggesting that the bill may end up being watered down in the amendment process, Akufo-Addo added that he was convinced the parliament will consider the sensitivity of the bill to human rights issues as well as the feelings of the Ghanaian population “and come out with a responsible response.”
“The bill has not been substantially changed. The bill remains as tough and as rigid as it was,” George told local media in a televised interview.
He added: “When the bill is laid before the House (of parliament), you will realize that the focus of the bill which has to do with voiding (gay) marriages, preventing them from adopting or fostering children, the clampdown on platforms and media houses that are going to do promotion and advocacy or push those materials still remain enforced.”
George also implied that restrictions against “expressions, be it lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender are all still there. “So when he (Akufo-Addo) says the bill has been watered down, he doesn’t know what he is talking about.”
The proposed aw would see LGBTQ Ghanaians face jail time, or be forced into so-called “conversion therapy” – a widely discredited practice debunked by much of the international medical and psychiatric communities.
Under the bill, advocates of the LGBTQ community would face up to a decade in prison; public displays of same-sex affection or cross-dressing could lead to a fine or jail time, and certain types of medical support would be made illegal.
The new law would also make the distribution of material deemed pro-LGBTQ by news organizations or websites illegal. It calls on Ghanaians to report those they suspect of being from the LGBTQ community.
Activist Danny Bediako, who runs the NGO Rightify Ghana, told CNN that living in Ghana would become tougher for the LGBTQ community if the bill passes in parliament.
“It’s going to make it difficult for the (LGBTQ) community to exist. They are just trying to erase the community through this bill, so it will definitely lead to an increase in attacks,” said Bediako, who added that his organization had documented 27 cases of violent attacks targeted toward the LGBTQ community in the country this year.
“There have been different types of cases, but the most dominant one is the activities of violent groups and they are widespread. So if this bill is passed, these activities are going to continue and it’s only going to also get worse.”
Watch the latest episode of The Lowdown below:
Meanwhile, catch up on the concluding part of Francis Addai-Nimoh's interview on GhanaWeb TV below:
GA/SARA
- Watch scenes from KIA as Ghana await arrival of Kamala Harris
- LIVESTREAMED: Kamala Harris arrives in Ghana via Airforce 2
- Kamala Harris' first remarks as she arrives in Accra for Africa tour
- See first photos of US Vice President Kamala Harris in Ghana
- ‘I intend to do work that is focused on increased investment in Africa’ – Kamala Harris
- Read all related articles