The anti-LGBTQ bill currently before Parliament, officially known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, has been indirectly criticized by Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States of America.
The US Vice President stated that she supports freedom and the equality of all people, including the LGBTQ community, in a news conference with President Akufo-Addo on Monday. This is in contrast to those who are anti-LGBTQ.
According to Kamala Harris, she understands and believes that LGBTQ rights are human rights.
In response to a question posed by a New York Times journalist on the current bill, she said: “A great deal of my work has been on human right issues and equality across board including the LGBTQ community. I believe strongly in the supporting the freedom and providing equality on all people and that all people be treated equally. I will also say that this is an issue I consider to be a human rights issue and that will not change,” she told the press.
In July 2021, a bill titled “Promotion of Appropriate Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values” was introduced.
The Ghanaian Parliament is now debating the Promotion of Appropriate Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values 2021, which among other things will outlaw the promotion of same-sex or homosexual behaviour throughout the nation.
Concerns have been expressed by international organisations that the Bill would violate the rights of LGBTQ+ people, a minority group in the nation.
Virginia Palmer, the US ambassador to Ghana, has urged Ghanaians and their parliamentary representatives to uphold national and international laws that prioritise defending the rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
Speaker Alban Bagbin, on the matter, has has indicated that “the sexual rights and human values Bill that is being handled by the committee will definitely be passed before the next elections.”
