The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has reacted to the passage of the anti-LGBT+ bill in Ghana.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBT+ bill.
The bill which is currently awaiting presidential assent, proscribes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activities and criminalises their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Those caught in these acts would be subjected to a six-month to three-year jail term, with promoters and sponsors facing a three to five-year jail term.
Following the passage of the bill, Ambassador Palmer raised a concern over the potential negative impact it would have on Ghana’s economy and international reputation.
“I am saddened because some of the smartest, most creative, most decent people I know are LGBT. The bill Parliament passed takes away not only their basic human rights but those of all Ghanaians because it undermines their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press. It will be bad for public order and public health.
“If enacted, it will also hurt Ghana’s international reputation and Ghana’s economy,” Virginia Palmer wrote on X.
Meanwhile, many Ghanaians have applauded parliamentarians for passing the bill.
