Ghana's parliament has approved a contentious bill aimed at severely restricting LGBTQ rights, a move that has triggered condemnation from human rights activists.
Sponsored by a coalition of religious and traditional leaders, the legislation criminalizes LGBTQ sexual acts and the promotion of gay, lesbian, or non-conventional gender identities, imposing imprisonment as punishment.
Although dubbed one of Africa's strictest anti-gay bills, it still awaits validation by the president before becoming law, with skepticism about approval before the December general election. Advocacy groups denounce the bill as a setback for human rights, urging President Nana Akufo-Addo to reject it.
The legislation enjoys widespread support in Ghana, where Akufo-Addo has stated opposition to gay marriage during his tenure.
Despite existing laws criminalizing gay sex, the new bill intensifies penalties, drawing criticism for violating human rights and endangering Ghana's LGBTQ community.
