The United States has issued a stark warning regarding the economic repercussions for Ghana following the recent parliamentary approval of the controversial Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill. This legislation, now awaiting presidential endorsement, has sparked a heated debate over human rights implications, with entities like the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) raising concerns about potential human rights infringements.
Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, one of the bill’s fervent advocates, brushed off concerns about international backlash, referencing Uganda’s experience with similar legislation. “For we the sponsors, we think that whatever sanctions any international organization wants, they should bring it on; we are ready. Ghana is a sovereign nation,” Bedzrah defiantly stated in a discussion with Joy FM’s Blessed Sogah.
Contrasting Bedzrah’s stance, the U.S. Department of State expressed deep concerns over the bill’s passage. Spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the law’s potential to infringe on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, including speech, press, and assembly, in a press release. Miller stressed that the legislation not only targets the LGBTQI+ community but also penalizes their supporters, including friends, family, and any community member failing to report them. “The bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media, civic spaces, and economy. International business coalitions have already stated that such discrimination in Ghana would harm business and economic growth in the country,” Miller elaborated, underlining the economic stakes tied to the bill’s enactment.
The United States praised Ghana’s historical commitment to tolerance, peace, and human rights, which has established the nation as a beacon of stability and prosperity on the global stage. However, the U.S. warns that this legislation marks a departure from those values, potentially jeopardizing Ghana’s esteemed international reputation. In response to the bill’s advancement, various human rights organizations in Ghana have vowed to challenge the legislation in the Supreme Court should President Akufo-Addo sign it into law. These groups, supported by international observers, argue that restricting the rights of a specific community undermines the collective rights of the entire society.
Echoing the concerns raised by Ghanaian civil society, the United States emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of all individuals. The U.S. has called for a constitutional review of the bill to ensure it aligns with the principles of equality and freedom, reinforcing the global plea for Ghana to maintain its legacy of human rights and economic stability amidst this legislative controversy.
