Lawmakers in Ghana reintroduce an anti-LGBTQ+ invoice that sparked grievance

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Lawmakers in Ghana have reintroduced an anti-LGBTQ+ invoice that was once handed via parliament ultimate yr however no longer enacted, a sponsor advised The Related Press on Monday.Former President Nana Akufo-Addo didn’t signal the invoice into legislation ultimate yr sooner than his time period ended, pronouncing he was once ready till the Splendid Court docket dominated on a problem to it. The courtroom pushed aside the problem in December, in a while after Akufo-Addo misplaced his bid for some other time period.Ghana has usually been regarded as extra respectful of human rights than maximum African nations, and the invoice sparked condemnation from the world neighborhood and rights teams when it handed ultimate yr, with the United Countries calling it “profoundly annoying.”Homosexual intercourse is against the law within the West African nation, wearing a three-year jail sentence. The invoice if enacted would impose as much as 5 years in jail for individuals who have interaction in “willful promotion, sponsorship or enhance of LGBTQ+ actions.”President John Dramani Mahama, who took place of work in January, stated ultimate week he was once dedicated to passing the invoice but it surely must be reintroduced via the federal government relatively than individuals of parliament.Opposition lawmaker John Ntim Fordjour advised the AP that he and 9 different lawmakers reintroduced the invoice ultimate week, and criticized the president.“He should be reminded that parliament is an impartial establishment and that the manager can not dictate to parliament what it should do,” Fordjour stated.Sponsors of the invoice have stated it seeks to offer protection to kids and people who find themselves sufferers of abuse.Ghana’s Ministry of Finance warned ultimate yr that the invoice would put $3.8 billion in International Financial institution investment in danger and most probably would derail the $3 billion World Financial Fund bailout program agreed to in 2023.Ghana’s economic system is getting better from its worst recession in a long time.In 2023, the International Financial institution stated it could no longer believe new investment for Uganda after it enacted anti-LGBTQ+ law.Francis Kokutse, The Related Press