Ghana's parliament has passed a tough new bill that 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. Lawmakers heckled down attempts to replace prison sentences with community service and counselling. It is the latest sign of growing opposition to LGBTQ+ rights in the conservative West African nation. The bill, which had the backing of Ghana's two major political parties, will come into effect only if President Nana Akufo-Addo signs it into law. He previously said that he would do so if the majority of Ghanaians want him to. Gay sex is already against the law in Ghana - it carries a three-year prison sentence. Last month Amnesty International warned that the bill "poses significant threats to the fundamental rights and freedoms" of LGBTQ+ people. Activists fear there will now be witch-hunts against members of the LGBTQ+ community and those
Inset: Raila Odinga, ODM Leader and Key Contender AU Chairperson position 2024 Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio, has reiterated that he will not silence the opposition in his quest to become the fifth chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. Ensuring that he would be only a two-hour flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he would be stationed if his campaign succeeds, Raila offered the guarantee on Wednesday. "I'll be available and will respond to calls whenever they come in. "I'm eager to collaborate with all of you," he declared. President Ruto, who has since endorsed Raila's candidacy, was involved in a recent liaison that raised questions about possible concessions among the opposition. The opposition would remain "unbwogable," the former prime minister stressed in his speech to attendees of the Homa Bay Investment Conference. Leader of the Wiper Party Kalonzo Musyoka had earlier given assurances that if Raila wins the AU p