Some 18 civil society groups have threatened legal action should President Akufo-Addo assent to the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill.

The CSOs are kicking against the bill, arguing that it infringes on Ghana’s diverse cultural and religious landscape.

The anti-LGBTQ+ bill was unanimously passed by Parliament on February 28, after nearly three years of deliberation. The bill seeks to criminalise the activities of the LGBTQ+ community.

It imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+. It also imposes a maximum five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups.

Read also: Parliament unanimously passes Anti-LGBTQ+ bill

Speaking to JoyNews, the Board Chair of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, said the groups will make presentations to President Akufo-Addo, urging him not to assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

“It's an obnoxious bill. It's kind of like criminal libel, which the colonialists introduced, and we retained it. And it was used improperly against people, including journalists. We will come to find that this is like that,” she said.

Prof. Gadzekpo, who was representing all 18 CSOs, said she is hopeful a government characterised by sound judgment would assume power and repeal the bill.

Commenting on the next line of action for the coalition since Parliament has passed the bill, Prof Gadzekpo said the group will continue to pursue their advocacy and continue to create awareness on why the anti-LGBTQ+ bill is harmful to the country's democracy and development.

She was optimistic that President Akufo-Addo would listen to their plea.

“So we will make representation to the President not to assent to the bill. I believe that this bill's proposal through enactment - even the argumentation has very little to do with wanting to safeguard Ghanaian family values because the present danger that endangers our family values was never addressed in this bill.

“This bill was just narrowly targeted at minorities because they know that a majority of people don't agree with a sexuality that is not binary.

“But the fact that a majority of people don't agree with a minority position doesn't make the majority right. It's such a fundamental principle of democracy.

"That is why there are so many provisions in democratic constitutions that protect minorities and minority views and rights, but unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears,” she stressed.