The European Union (EU) in a recent meeting regarding Ghana’s anti-LGBTOI bill has revealed that Ghana will not assent the bill into law.
In a speech delivered by Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP plenary on the LGBTQI, the EU said Ghana has a solid democracy and stabilizing force in the region and acknowledged efforts made towards abolishing the death penalty but also criticized the country in safeguarding the rights of sexual minorities.
“Ghana, a solid democracy and anchor of regional stability, has a strong record in terms of protecting human rights through its laws and through its practice.
Significant steps have been taken in this area. See, for example, Ghana’s decision of last year to take steps towards abolishing the death penalty.
However, challenges remain notably in the area of the protection of sexual minorities.
The recent passing in Parliament of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, more commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTIQ Bill, is an issue of concern in Ghana as it is the case in any other country on the continent and in the world. In its current form, the Bill requires close review in light of Ghana’s international and constitutional human rights commitments”, Mr. Sinkevičius explained.
The anti-LGBTQI bill which has been passed by parliament and awaiting the president’s assent has raised a series of arguments both in Ghana and internationally.
Some groups are of the view that the bill when passed into law will have a negative impact on the country in terms of finances, investments and international relations while others believe the bill is needed to protect the country’s social and moral values.
According to High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, the European Union, alongside its Member States, has closely monitored the developments surrounding the Bill since its introduction in 2021 adding that their position and concerns on the matter are well-known and regularly communicated.
“We are therefore confident that Ghana will stand firm in the commitments it has made on national and international Human Rights”, he added.
The European Union also noted that it has succeeded in further deepening its partnership with Ghana, as it evolved from a strictly developmental partnership to a more political one that is fit to face regional political and security challenges.