The United States Embassy in Accra, Ghana, has flown a pride flag to show solidarity and support for the LGBTQI community in Ghana who have come under attack from various quarters recently, MyNewsGh.com can confirm.
The Pride flag which was hoisted for more than 24 hours to mark Pride Month is part of activities and events to mark the past and present struggle for the human rights, dignity, and recognition of the LGBTQI+ community across the world and in Ghana, a country the US Ambassador said the LGBTQI community is having a tough time this year, 2021.
In addition, the US Embassy held a close door reception for top Ghanaian advocates of LGBTQI where the Ambassador motivated them to continue their rights advocacy with the full assurance of US support, MyNewsGh.com noted
The Ambassador was particularly impressed with the work of Shone Edem Lawrence for serving as a mouthpiece for the LGBTQI+ community in Ghana.
Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan said this year, 2021 has been, in her words, “a challenging year” for the LGBTQI community in Ghana, making specific references to the LGBTQI proposed bill by Sam George and 7 other MPs without mentioning any MP’s name.
The Top US Diplomat in Ghana also made reference to the arrest and detention of 21 homosexuals in Ho, in the Volta Region after the homosexuals were held without bail for several days. She referred to the Ho homosexuals as the “Ho 21”.Related Articles
“This year has been challenging for Ghana’s LGBTQI+ community. From the shuttering of the LGBTQI+ Advocacy Center in Accra, the arrests of 22 friends gathered in the Eastern Region, talk of an anti-LGBTQI+ bill, and most recently, the arrest and lengthy pre-bail detention of 21 human rights defenders in Ho, the community is facing increased anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and actions.” MyNewsGh.com quotes Ambassador Sullivan.
According to Ambassador Sullivan, anytime she meets Ghanaian leaders at all levels, she’s always urged them to respect their international obligations by committing to the rights of gays and homosexuals in Ghana and she will continue to do so unabated as ameliorating LGBTQI plight is now official US policy.
In a statement over the flag hoisting, the embassy said the United States will pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Therefore, we aim to increase the visibility of, and address the challenges faced by, the community as we stand against injustice toward not only women and girls and religious minorities but also toward members of the LGBTQI+ community.”
“What began in the United States as a day in June to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York, has become an international, month-long series of events to mark the past and present struggle for the human rights, dignity, and recognition of the LGBTQI+ community.” the statement added.
8 MPs push Anti-LGBTQI Bill
This news comes after eight (8) members of Ghana’s Parliament jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalization of LGBTQI+ activities in Ghana with over 90% of MPs allegedly in support.
The bill which is termed ‘Bill on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values’, was presented to Speaker, Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, and who also supports it.
In fact, the Speaker of Parliament has said the Bill will become law by end of this year. It is unclear yet, whether President Akufo-Addo will sign it, given the posture of his cousin Gabby Otchere-Darko who sources say speaks the mind of the President. Gabby said the Bill is a “hate Bill”.
The proponents of the bill want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality or LGBTQI+ to be criminalized in the country.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram constituency, Sam George, who led the MPs to make the presentation, said it “is a landmark legislation that has taken the last 14 weeks working with a fantastic team of professionals to put together. It is in my humble opinion a world-class piece of legislation which should be reference material for other Parliaments seeking to pass similar legislation.”
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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