Parliament, after three years, has passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, on Wednesday, February 28.

The Anti-LGBTQ+ bill, officially known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.

The bill proposes strict penalties, including imprisonment, for individuals engaged in activities related to homosexuality and LGBTQ+ advocacy. It also aims to prohibit the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights, organizations, and events in Ghana.

The bill has sparked significant debate and controversy, with proponents arguing that it aligns with Ghanaian cultural and religious values, while opponents argue that it violates human rights and promotes discrimination.

In Parliament today, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin sought to make amendments to the bill during the second consideration stage.

“You cannot — let’s not be too emotional about this; let’s be consistent. You are saying that you are protecting press freedom, so you are subjecting that provision to the constitutional imperative. And I’m pointing out to you that this particular provision must also be subjected to the constitution, and Article 17 is a major guide," he said.

However, the Minority rejected his request, prompting the Speaker to push for the third consideration stage.

Parliament then passed the bill. Now, President Akufo-Addo must assent to the bill for it to become law.

Ghana is among many African countries that working to rid LGBTQ activities in the society. Uganda enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-gay laws in May, which calls for the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.

Following this, the country faced sanctions from international communities, such as the US. The U.S. imposed a first round of visa restrictions on Ugandan officials in response to the law in June, and the World Bank halted new lending to the country in August.

The concern now is Ghana could face similar sanctions and be blocked from receiving financial aid from countries that uphold LGBTQ rights. But Parliamentarians have noted that Ghana is poised to withstand whatever pro-LGBTQ countries throw at them.