In the heart of Accra, as the presidential campaign gains momentum, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party, has openly declared his opposition to homosexuality. This stance, unveiled during his recent address at the culmination of Ramadan prayers, has reignited debates on LGBTQ rights in Ghana, a nation where cultural conservatism deeply influences social norms and laws.
Bawumia emphasized that Ghanaian culture and major religious groups unanimously reject homosexuality. He vowed to uphold these societal values if he wins the presidency in the upcoming December elections. His position mirrors that of his main competitor, former president John Dramani Mahama, suggesting a widely accepted conservative perspective on this issue among Ghana’s political elite.
The conversation around LGBTQ rights in Ghana is further complicated by pending legislation that could harshly penalize the LGBTQ community and those who support it. Introduced in February, the bill proposes severe punishments for promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ identities, sparking international concern and warnings from financial bodies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund about potential impacts on Ghana’s economy.
Despite the international outcry, including criticism from the United Nations describing the bill as a gateway to state-sponsored discrimination, the bill has found robust domestic support. As the nation waits on the outcome of legal challenges to the bill, the LGBTQ community in Ghana continues to face significant societal and legal pressures, with routine harassment and abuse.
This development has alarmed human rights advocates and international observers, who argue that such policies not only harm individuals but also undermine Ghana’s democratic and economic progress. As the election approaches, the issue of LGBTQ rights remains a pivotal and divisive topic, reflecting broader struggles between tradition and modern human rights standards in African politics.