Ghana passes bill to ban homosexuality and LGBTQ+
Ghana's parliament has passed a bill to combat homosexuality and homophobia, LGBTQ+ after almost three years of discussion.
The new bill stipulates up to three years in prison for anyone found guilty of identifying as LGBTQ+ or engaging in same-sex sexual interactions. It also imposes a maximum sentence of five years in prison for creating or sponsoring LGBTQ+ groups. The bill was unanimously approved on Wednesday following the completion of the third reading. The proposed amendments to the bill were rejected by the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Alban Bagbin, during the session. Lawmakers ignored attempts to replace prison sentences with community services and counseling. The action of the Parliament of Ghana is the most recent sign of increasing opposition to acts of sexual interaction between people of the same sex in Ghana and in other African countries. The bill is now expected to be sent to President Akufo-Addo for approval and becoming law. The action in Ghana has been taken just two months after the leader of the Catholic Church in the World, Pope Francis gave official permission to priests to celebrate and bless same-sex marriages in the church. The new decision of the Pope has caused great anger and opposition even from Catholic churches in various parts of the world, especially in Africa.
