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The United States of America has voiced concern about the approval of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill.
Ghana’s Parliament passed the bill on Wednesday, February 28, after several debates, contributions, and some opposition to the bill.
In a statement, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed that the approval of the bill would jeopardize “Ghana’s crucial public health, media, civic spaces, and economy”.
He stressed that the approval of the bill undermines Ghana’s longstanding tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights. He urged a reevaluation of the bill “to safeguard the rights of all individuals in Ghana”.
He stressed that the approval of the bill undermines Ghana’s longstanding tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights. He urged a reevaluation of the bill “to safeguard the rights of all individuals in Ghana.
Below is the spokesperson’s full statement.
Ghanaian Parliament’s Passage of Legislation Undermines Human Rights
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
The United States is deeply troubled by the Ghanaian Parliament’s passage of legislation, officially called the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which would threaten all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.
The bill seeks to criminalize any person who simply identifies as LGBTQI+, as well as any friend, family, or member of the community who does not report them. Limiting the rights of one group in a society undermines the rights of all.
The United States echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.
The bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy. International business coalitions have already stated that such discrimination in Ghana would harm business and economic growth in the country.
Ghana’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights is a source of stability and prosperity that has long served as a model for countries around the globe. This legislation is inconsistent with these values and will, if it becomes law, undermine this laudable tradition.
