If you thought the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana couldn’t get any messier—welp, welcome to the drama. Ghana’s president has pressed pause on the decision to sign or veto a chilling anti-LGBTQ+ bill, choosing to wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on December 18. And trust, this ain’t just a legal delay—this is a full-on spotlight on the country’s deeply rooted, often weaponized, homophobia.
What’s the Tea on the Bill?
Here’s the rundown for those who haven’t been keeping up with Ghanaian politics. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill legislation—it’s a life-altering, criminalizing beast. The bill, initially introduced in 2021, doesn’t just threaten jail time for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ but also punishes those who don’t snitch on their queer loved ones. Imagine going into hiding because even your family has a legal incentive to turn you in. This law would push LGBTQ+ folks further off the map, stripping them of not only safety but also housing, jobs, and education.
And the vibe on the streets? Toxic. Religious groups are rallying for the bill, church leaders are labeling LGBTQ+ acts as “immoral,” and public sentiment is overwhelmingly anti-queer. A 2021 Afrobarometer survey showed a grim 7% of Ghanaians tolerate same-sex relationships.
The Presidential Chess Game
With elections next month, the drama doesn’t stop here. Ghana’s December 7 presidential election feels more like a contest to see who can be the most anti-LGBTQ+. Current ruling party candidate Mahamudu Bawumia has made it clear—if he wins, that bill’s getting the green light. Meanwhile, his opponent, former president John Dramani Mahama, isn’t exactly waving a rainbow flag either, blasting the West for its so-called “promotion” of homosexuality. TL;DR—whoever wins, queer folks lose.
Activists like Michael Akagbor from the Centre for Democracy and Development Ghana are calling it what it is—a non-election issue, with both political camps pandering to a public already brimming with homophobic attitudes.
Real Talk from the LGBTQ+ Community
The daily grind is already tough for Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community, but this bill? It’s a whole new level of bad news. Hans Burinyuy from LGBT+ Rights Ghana dropped some painful truths—the mere presence of the bill is pushing queer folks into the shadows. We’re talking lost opportunities—jobs, housing, you name it—and an uptick in physical and emotional abuse.
This isn’t just a political issue; it’s a survival story being written in real-time by activists, allies, and, of course, the people persevere through this hostile environment.
Stay LOUD
Here’s the deal, beloveds—Ghana’s political push against LGBTQ+ rights is a lesson the rest of us can’t ignore. This unapologetic fight against oppression belongs to all of us, whether it’s on Ghanaian soil or in our social media feeds. Stay tuned to December 18 when the Supreme Court weighs in—but don’t hold your breath for hope.
If you’ve got it in you, reach out to orgs like LGBT+ Rights Ghana to learn how you can throw support their way. Advocacy doesn’t take breaks, and neither can we.
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