Ghana Parliament welcomes anti-LGBTQ lawmakers from Uganda
Uganda hopes Ghana will host region-wide anti-LGBTQ conference
Ghana is close to enacting a harsh anti-LGBTQI+ law similar to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) 2023, threatening the country’s long-held reputation as one of Africa’s remaining true democracies.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, is already a matter of debate in the Ghanaian Parliament with House Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin its leading architect.
The bill’s promoters have the backing of faith and cultural leaders, and President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama has said he will not hesitate to sign the bill into law once passed by Parliament.
During parliamentary proceedings on October 28, Bagbin introduced a delegation of Ugandan Members of Parliament who were there to ask the Ghanaian authorities to host the 4th Inter Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, a controversial gathering that Uganda hosted twice. The conferences did a lot to galvanize the Anti-LGBTQI+ camp in Uganda, paving way for the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, one of the harshest Anti-LGBTQI+ legislations in Uganda.
“Honourable members, I’m happy that our brothers from Uganda are here, because they are ahead of us already on this matter. And so, they will share with you their experiences too. They have already passed an [Anti-Homosexuality] Act on it. They are implementing it. They have hosted twice, two conferences on this subject matter. And they are calling on other countries — particularly Ghana — to host the next conference. And so, they will share their experiences with you and maybe convince you to host it for other countries to emulate the good examples that we are setting,” Bagbin told the House.
The conference has been linked to Family Watch International, a US-based organization designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for promoting anti-LGBTQ and anti-rights agendas across the globe.
Human rights organizations and LGBTQI+ advocates have consistently condemned the conference, describing it as a coordinated platform that exports hate and criminalization across Africa, targeting MPs, Speakers of Parliament, policymakers, and senior government officials with anti-rights and anti-gender propaganda disguised as “African family values.”
The Ugandan delegation to Ghana’s Parliament comprised Helen Nakimuli, Kalule Flavia Nabagabe, Kawalya Abubaker, Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola, and John Paul Mpalanyi — all lawmakers who have been vocal supporters of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act and participants in regional campaigns promoting the conference. Their visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances with lawmakers across Africa to advance anti-LGBTQ legislation.
The Speaker’s comments come amid renewed debate over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. A previous version of the bill expired with the 8th Parliament, and it has been reintroduced in the 9th Parliament for consideration.
Rightify Ghana, a leading LGBTQI+ rights advocacy group, reports that if the Ugandan delegation succeeds in convincing Ghana’s leadership to host the next edition, it would mark the first time the conference comes to West Africa — a deeply concerning development for rights advocates, who warn it could embolden anti-LGBTQ sentiments and policies in the region.
Ghana’s political leadership has come under widespread criticism for its decision to emulate Uganda in matters of persecution and discrimination, while ignoring Uganda’s failures in democracy, peace, human rights, press freedom, and socio-economic development.
“Ghana must stand firm in its commitment to human dignity by refusing to allow any law that strips citizens of their rights because of who they are. A truly strong nation does not criminalize vulnerability; it protects it. Leadership grounded in justice and courage rejects any bill that endangers the freedoms, safety and humanity of LGBTQI+ Ghanaians,” says Frank Mugisha, a leading Ugandan human rights advocate.
He notes that anti-rights movements are gaining traction across Africa.
“This is extremely dangerous,” he says.
