The United States of America has registered its dissatisfaction with the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly called the anti-gay bill.

The Parliament of Ghana passed the controversial bill by voice vote on Wednesday, February 28 amid strong opposition.

The bill is awaiting President Akufo-Addo’s assent to become law.

However, the US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, has expressed worry about the bill’s passage.

In a statement, Miller said assenting the bill into law will undermine “Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy.”

Furthermore, he noted that the bill undermines Ghana’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights and called for a review of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.

“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. This legislation is inconsistent with these values and will, if it becomes law, undermine this laudable tradition.”

Read US State Department Spokesperson’s full statement below

Ghanaian Parliament’s Passage of Legislation Undermines Human Rights

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States is deeply troubled by the Ghanaian Parliament’s passage of legislation, officially called the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which would threaten all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.

The bill seeks to criminalize any person who simply identifies as LGBTQI+, as well as any friend, family, or member of the community who does not report them. Limiting the rights of one group in a society undermines the rights of all.

The United States echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana.

The bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic spaces, and economy. International business coalitions have already stated that such discrimination in Ghana would harm business and economic growth in the country.

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. This legislation is inconsistent with these values and will, if it becomes law, undermine this laudable tradition.