The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, received a first reading in parliament on Monday.
It will now be reviewed by a committee before going back to lawmakers for a second reading. “This proposed legislation is a gross violation of the human rights of Ghana’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, who already face high levels of violence, abuse, stigma and discrimination,” said Patrick Brenny, who runs UNAIDS programmes across west and central Africa. “UNAIDS stands squarely on the side of human rights, expresses its solidarity with LGBT people in Ghana and urges lawmakers to reject this bill.” Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana.