WASHINGTON (CN) — The U.S. warned Thursday that it could restrict foreign aid to Ghana if the African country’s president signs into law a new bill criminalizing identifying as LGBTQ+.
Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday passed legislation that would impose up to three years in prison for identifying as LGBTQ+ and a five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups.
“If this bill becomes law it would certainly have a chilling effect on foreign investment and tourism in Ghana,” State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said Thursday. “Should the bill pass, it would potentially have ramifications on U.S. assistance.”
The bill still needs the signature of President Nana Akufo-Addo, but he has previously said he would approve it if it’s supported by the majority of Ghanaians.
The U.S. provided more than $211 million in assistance to Ghana in fiscal year 2022, with the money supporting a variety of sectors like agriculture and efforts to combat malaria and AIDS. It’s unclear how much money would be halted in response to the law.
Many African countries criminalize same-sex activity, but recently legislators have moved to strengthen such laws across the continent.
Sam George, a Ghanaian parliamentarian who sponsored the legislation, wrote online that it took three years to pass the bill.
“Our values would be protected and defended so long as we have a voice,” he wrote.
The legislation brought swift condemnation from the U.S. in the same vein of criticism it leveled against Uganda over the past year for a similar, but much harsher measure.
“Ghana’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights is a source of stability and prosperity that has long served as a model for countries around the globe,” Miller said in a statement Wednesday. “This legislation is inconsistent with these values and will, if it becomes law, undermine this laudable tradition.”
Uganda’s law includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” life imprisonment for the offense of “homosexuality” and criminalizes the “promotion of homosexuality” with up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Washington recently restricted $20 million of the aid it provided Uganda in response to the law.
Amnesty International called on Akufo-Addo to not sign the legislation and to “respect the human rights of all persons.”
“The Parliament’s passage of this draconian bill is shocking and deeply disappointing, coming shortly after Ghana was elected to serve at the United Nations Human Rights Council,” Genevieve Partington, Amnesty’s country director for Ghana, said in a statement. “LGBTI people have already reported forced evictions, loss of jobs, increased violence and other violations of the rights guaranteed by the country’s Constitution since the bill was introduced in parliament.”
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