Over the last few months, the freedom and rights of LGBTQ+ in the country have been a subject of public discourse following the opening and subsequent closing of an office for members in Accra in February. 

Since the incident, several other actions against the group, including the arrest, detaining and subsequent release of some 21 advocates in the Volta Region has sparked several deliberations on the rights of LGBTQ+ members in the country.

Subsequently, some Members of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship met, to pray against the group and introduce a bill that seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ identification and advocacy in Ghana. The copy of the bill was presented to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin for review.

However, on Thursday, July 22, a copy of the bill, drafted by the Member of Parliament for Ningo – Prampram,  Sam George and 7 other members of parliament made its way to the internet and has since sparked several conversations online.

The bill not only seeks to punish LGBTQ+ members, it also states that any individual or media entity that uses their platform to discuss or advocate for their rights could spend at least 5-10 years imprisonment.

Sympathisers and non-sympathisers of the group have since taken to social media to air their grievances about the bill.

See some twitter reactions below;

You truly can trust an african government to do anything but improve the livelihood of the people

This constant obsession with the LGBTQ community is to distract the people with homophobia so they forget for a sec that they cannot meet their basic needs with leaders eating them

— Judicaelle Irakoze (@Judicaelle_) July 23, 2021

 

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They’re about to send people who practice LGBTQ(an act which won’t affect the development of the country) into prison but Woyome is still a free man. Ghana ankasa herrh 😭😭😭😭😭

— Kobby Founda🇬🇭 (@Founda_) July 22, 2021

LGBT+ Rights is calling an emergency town hall meeting to discuss how to present a formidable opposition to this anti LGBTQ+ Bill. We are open to suggestions and inputs. The meeting will be held virtually and on Sunday 25th July, 2021. Kindly send us a DM if you’ll like to join.

— LGBT+ Rights Ghana (@LGBTRightsGhana) July 23, 2021

Fact is, we’re all biological anomalies. The very nature of biology is anomalous. There exists no two identical samples because even clones adapt to different external pressures and thus become not the same. Difference and change are fundamental to biology and therefore to us all https://t.co/HT5DIcuEAM

— Ariel🌺 • 🤖 (@Sai_Pher) July 22, 2021

This Bill is going to punish people for being born with both male and female sexual characteristics becuase they’re a “biological anomaly.” Is this real or are we in a simulation?

— sedi-chan💵 (@actuallysedz) July 22, 2021

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You are only doing this to score political points forgetting the harm you are causing queer folk. Tell us what else you will personally gain from passing this bill if not political points??? Shame on you! https://t.co/yQBbxdAU0n

— Sister Deborah (@deborahvanessa7) July 23, 2021