Ghana MPs to debate anti-LGBTQ bill

By Thomas Naadi

MPs in Ghana are set to debate a draft bill which seeks to introduce some of the harshest laws in Africa against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

UN human rights experts have warned it could establish a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence.

The bill named "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values" would see LGBTQ Ghanaians face prison or be coerced into so-called "conversion therapy", a widely-discredited practice debunked by much of the international medical and psychiatric communities.

If passed, advocates of the LGBTQ community would face up to a decade in prison, public displays of same-sex affection or cross dressing could lead to a fine or detention and certain types of medical support would be made illegal. 

The new law would also make the distribution of material deemed pro-LGBTQ by news organisations or websites illegal. 

It would also encourage Ghanaians to turn over those they suspect of being from the LGBTQ community.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Photo: AFP