Ghana's parliament on Friday approved a bill criminalizing the "promotion" of LGBTQ activities, according to a parliamentary official, amid a tightening of measures against sexual minorities in West Africa.
The text, entitled "Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill", still needs to be signed by President John Dramani Mahama to come into effect.
According to the provisions of the bill, the "funding, sponsorship, or promotion" of LGBTQ activities would become criminal offenses. The text also stipulates that Ghanaian citizens would be obligated to report homosexual acts to the authorities.
Human rights advocates and international organizations have strongly criticized the bill, arguing that it risks exacerbating discrimination and violence against LGBTQ people in the country.
Ghana already criminalizes homosexual relations through legislation inherited from the colonial era. However, this new legislation would significantly broaden the scope of sanctions by also targeting LGBTQ rights organizations, activists, financial supporters, and public campaigns.
Several African countries have recently strengthened their legislation against sexual minorities, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and Western partners.
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