Ghana: Colonial Law Becomes an 'African Value' Against LGBT+

Ghana awaits presidential signature on new anti-LGBT+ legislation. This law seriously threatens the rights of homosexual persons. It could transform the lives of millions of Ghanaians.

Many politicians present homosexuality as Western import. They claim it contradicts 'African values'. Yet this idea masks a major historical irony.

In reality, criminalizing homosexuality came from the West. The British introduced these laws during colonization. Ghana inherited these legal texts after independence in 1957.

Before colonization, many African cultures accepted sexual diversity. Researchers have documented homosexual practices in several precolonial African societies. Institutional homophobia is therefore colonial product, not African tradition.

Over decades, this colonial law changed form. It first became a religious crusade. Evangelical churches, often funded from the United States, strengthened hostility toward LGBT+ persons. Then politicians used this hostility to gain votes.

Today, the new law goes even further. It criminalizes not only homosexuality but also LGBT+ activism. It punishes those supporting queer persons' rights. The penalties are very severe.

Human rights defenders are deeply concerned. Local and international organizations urge the president not to sign. They remind that Ghana presents itself as democratic nation. The national motto is even 'Freedom and Justice'.

Ghanaian activists risk their freedom every day. Yet they continue fighting for their rights. Their courage is remarkable against immense social and political pressure.

This situation illustrates a painful paradox. A former colony uses tools of colonial oppression. It turns them against its own LGBT+ citizens. And it calls this defending African identity.

The international community watches the president's decision with attention. For thousands of Ghanaian LGBT+ persons, this signature could mean prison or exile.