Ghana's President in Tight Spot Over Anti-LGBT Law

Opposition lawmakers in Ghana are pushing President Nana Akufo-Addo into a tight spot by promoting an anti-LGBT law widely condemned by critics for undermining rights but applauded by many Ghanaians.

Gay sex is already illegal in the highly religious West African nation, but while discrimination against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people is common, no one has ever been prosecuted under the colonial-era law. A proposal that includes criminalizing LGBT advocacy, requirements to denounce "suspects", advocates for conversion therapy and imposes longer jail sentences was introduced in parliament earlier this month. The international community has joined activists in condemning the "promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values bill" drafted by eight lawmakers, mostly from the opposition party.