A group of 10 MPs in Ghana have sent a controversial bill that would impose some of the most difficult restrictions on LGBT's rights in Africa.
The bill prescribes a three -year prison for people who identify themselves as gay and five to 10 years for promoters and defenders.
The legislation was adopted by parliament last year, but former President Affo Adando refused to sign it in law before leaving the post in January, Referring to legal challenges.
He is widely condemned by both locals and international human rights groups, some of which describe it as Draconovsky.
The initial bill expired at the end of the previous parliament. It is unclear whether the speaker of the new parliament will recognize the bill for consideration.
Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in prison in the conservative West African country.
President John Drama Mahama said he would prefer the bill to be sponsored by the state, guaranteeing broader support and consultation.
“I think we have to have a conversation again on it, so all of us, if we decide to move this account forward, move it forward with consensus,” he said.
Proponents claim that legislation will help to preserve what they consider to be Ghanai culture and family values.
However, the rights groups have defined the legislation as dragonic.
“The LGBT rights bill is contrary to the long -standing tradition of peace, tolerance and hospitality of Ghana and flies to international human rights obligations,” Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Coju said last year.
“Such a law will not only destroy only the rule of law in Ghana, but can also lead to a more gratuitous violence against LGBT people and their allies.”
VA-BENE ELIKEM FIATSI, a Ghanai Trans Woman and LGBT activist, told the Reuters News Agency that re-introduction of the bill was “repulsive and difficult to process”, but insists that LGBT activism will continue.
The potential impact of the bill on Ghana economy is a significant concern.
The former Finance Minister of the country has warned that adoption of the bill can lead to Ghana loss of up to $ 3.8 billion ($ 2.9 billion in British pounds) funding for World Bank development and affecting the IMF support program of $ 3 billion ($ 2.3 billion in British pounds).
Opposition MP John Nnim Fredour told Reuters that the country no longer needs to be afraid of economic sanctions, citing US President Donald Trump's election.
“The global political climate is favorable to conservative values, as shown in the bold conservative pronouncements of President Donald Trump,” he said.
The bill was first introduced in parliament in 2021, but is facing many delays.