The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, has sparked outrage and fear in the West African nation’s LGBTQ+ community, with campaigners saying it could heighten widespread persecution and violence.
Here are some key details and background about the controversial proposal: What is the current law regarding LGBTQ+ people in Ghana? Under a 1960 British colonial-era law, “unnatural carnal knowledge” – widely interpreted as sexual intercourse between men – is punishable with up to three years in jail.
Ghana has not prosecuted anyone for gay sex in years, but LGBTQ+ people face frequent abuse and discrimination, including blackmail and attacks, human rights researchers say.