As the world gets used to an era of fear and uncertainty and we watch the rights people have fought for over the years be systematically dismantled, it’s easy to become disillusioned and feel like giving up. But as activists, our most important breakthroughs have always come in the midst of great strive. And while it’s important for us to rest and regroup from time to time, we must also recognise the responsibility that rests on our shoulders to give voice to the voiceless, reject the status quo wholly and stand with those who have been left on the fringes.
The global political landscape has become increasingly emboldened by conservative rhetoric, with the US elections signaling a dangerous rollback of hard-won civil liberties. The rise of political figures like Donald Trump has created a global environment where marginalized communities find themselves increasingly vulnerable. In Ghana, this shifting landscape has manifested in the Anti-LGBTQ bill currently sitting in parliament – a legislation that represents a dangerous escalation of institutional discrimination.
Initially introduced in 2021, the bill prescribes harsh penalties – up to three years in jail for individuals identifying as gay and five to ten years for advocates and allies. Championed by Sam George, MP for Ningo Prampram and now the Minister of Communication, the legislation has been widely condemned by human rights groups as draconian and contradictory to Ghana’s traditions of tolerance.
The rainbow flag signifies unity and solidarity
Opposition MP John Ntim Fordjour has explicitly cited the election of Donald Trump as a signal that countries no longer need to fear economic sanctions, suggesting a troubling international trend of emboldening anti-LGBTQ sentiment. With the potential withholding of US aid now a real concern – particularly for critical HIV research and support programs that directly impact the LGBTQ community – the bill’s implications extend far beyond legal persecution.
Supporters claim the legislation would preserve Ghanaian cultural values, but the economic and human rights consequences are severe. The former finance minister warned that passing such a bill could cost Ghana up to $3.8 billion in development funding from the World Bank and potentially jeopardize its IMF support programme.
While the current president, John Dramani Mahama, hasn’t gotten around to a decision on the bill, make no mistake that his position on the matter is clear and does not leave room for ambiguity. From claiming that ‘family values’ should be taught in schools so we don’t need such a bill, he is essentially proposing teaching hate as a subject in our schools. This only seeks to compound the issues the community faces in Ghana and will create an environment that encourages the continued dehumanisation of a people.
Photo Credit: Edem Robby
As Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué noted, such legislation is “inconsistent with Ghana’s long-standing tradition of peace, tolerance, and hospitality”. It could lead to gratuitous violence against LGBTQ people and their allies.
Our national energy would be far better spent on meaningful progress – implementing comprehensive healthcare reforms, developing equitable education systems, creating sustainable economic opportunities, combating environmental destruction, and rooting out systemic corruption. While we celebrate International Women’s Day, I think it’s important to recognise our roles as activists in supporting marginalised communities within our countries and elsewhere, stand in solidarity, speak out for, support and challenge notions that seek to perpetuate the continued dehumanisation of people whose only main objective is to live without fear of persecution.
