A Ugandan medical anthropologist, feminist, and queer rights advocate residing in Munich, Germany, Stella Nyanzi, has added her voice to a demonstration against Ghana’s proposed anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) legislation.
During the protest, Nyanzi implored Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reject the proposed legislation, which she labelled as an act of legislating hatred.
In solidarity with a gathering of pro-LGBT activists, Nyanzi participated in a protest against the Bill in Munich on March 17, 2024.
Speaking to the assembled crowd, Nyanzi expressed her dismay over a similar law in her home nation, emphasizing the importance of combating homophobia and transphobia, particularly in Africa.
The legislation, officially named the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, seeks to outlaw LGBT activities and penalize their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Under the proposed law, individuals engaging in such acts could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while promoters and sponsors could be sentenced to three to five years behind bars.
President Akufo-Addo has put on hold his decision to either endorse or veto the bill, awaiting a ruling on its constitutionality by the Supreme Court.
Should the president opt to reject the bill, the parliament has the power to override his veto with a two-thirds majority vote, thereby enacting the bill’s provisions.
