Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Thursday, 7 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 March 2024. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 March 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Ghana: Human Rights

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the introduction of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill in the Ghanaian legislatures.

Answer: The UK is disappointed that Ghana's Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. If enacted, it would further criminalise consensual same-sex relationships and undermine the human rights and freedoms of those perceived as being a member of, or an ally to, the LGBT+ community. The UK routinely encourages Ghana to confirm its opposition to all forms of discrimination and uphold the human rights provisions enshrined in Ghana's Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the principles of both the African and Commonwealth Charters. The Foreign Secretary, Ministers and senior officials have expressed these concerns, including during my [Minister Andrew Mitchell] visit to Ghana in February 2024 and my meeting with the Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK in March. We continue to consider our response in the event that the Bill is granted assent.

Secondary information