Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill ‘Criminalises Empathy’, says musician and LGBTQ+ ally Wanlov the Kubolor

Proposed legislation in Ghana that seeks to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals undermines the rights of all citizens, according to Ghanaian-Romanian musician and LGBTQ+ ally Wanlov the Kubolor.

The bill, reintroduced to Parliament in February after the previous president left office without signing it, would strengthen colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex relationships. It proposes prison sentences for identifying as LGBTQ+, expressing public support, or funding related organisations. Citizens would also be required to report suspected violations to the police.

“This is a bill that criminalises empathy and humanity,” said Wanlov. “If you’re a parent of a queer person and don’t report them, you could face at least 10 years in prison. Landlords, employers, anyone who doesn’t report suspected queer individuals could be criminalised. It’s a bill against every single person in Ghana.”

He warned that the legislation could worsen corruption: “If this bill passes, the police will have carte blanche to stop anyone and accuse them of a crime. It will make extortion even easier.”

Wanlov criticised the political motivations behind the bill: “Politicians use this as a distraction whenever there’s a scandal. There’s no need for legislation targeting queer existence. What we need are hospitals, working health insurance, street lights, good roads, and better transport.”

He also rejected claims that LGBTQ+ rights are a Western import: “It takes minutes to find examples of pre-colonial queer existence across Africa. Colonialism brought binary thinking and religious imposition. This bill was written in Texas. The homophobia is imported - not the queerness.”

“Being queer is African. It’s human.”