LGBTQ+ persons in Ghana have gone into hiding after country’s parliament passed a new bill opposing their rights.
On Wednesday, Ghana’s parliament passed a new bill opposing the rights of queer persons, and proposing a prison sentence of up to five years for the “willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities”.
The bill also proposes a jail term of up to 10 years for anyone involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy campaigns aimed at children, and encourages the public to report members of the queer community to authorities for “necessary action”.
Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram, who introduced the bill, described it as a major success and vowed to protect the country’s values.
The United States has frowned against the law in the West African country, noting that the crackdown on LGBTQ+ would threaten all constitutionally protected freedoms of speech of Ghanaians, press, and assembly.
Reuters reports that the LGBTQ community in Ghana has gone into hiding after the bill was passed.
Angel Maxine, an LGBTQ activist, who fled from Ghana to Berlin a week before parliament passed the bill, says she fears for the safety of the friends she left behind.
“I needed a safe place to continue my work as an activist. The threats were just so much and I had to just find a way and just settle somewhere else and still have my voice,” she said.
“(My friends) are all terrified. Everybody is scared,” Maxine said, adding that they have to hide to avoid potential attacks against them.