Ghana: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP plenary on the LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament

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President, Honourable Members,

Ghana, a solid democracy and anchor of regional stability, has a strong record in terms of protecting human rights through its laws and through its practice. Significant steps have been taken in this area. See, for example, Ghana's decision of last year to take steps towards abolishing death penalty.

However, challenges remain notably in the area of the protection of sexual minorities. The recent passing in Parliament of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, more commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTIQ Bill, is an issue of concern in Ghana as it is the case in any other country on the continent and in the world. In its current form, the Bill requires close review in light of Ghana's international and constitutional human rights commitments.

The constitutionality of the Bill has been challenged and it is currently scrutinised by the Supreme Court.

It is also to be noted that the Bill also still requires presidential assent to enter into force. The President has publicly reiterated his commitment to the respect of Human Rights and has expressed his concern to seeing a "backsliding" on human rights in the event of adoption of the Bill. Senior members of the Ghanaian Government have also highlighted the Bill's potential financial consequences and losses for the 2024 budget.

We are therefore confident that Ghana will stand firm in the commitments it has made on national and international Human Rights.

The European Union, together with its Member States, have followed the matter closely since its introduction in 2021. Our position and concerns on the matter are well-known and regularly communicated. Ghana has a pivotal role in ensuring regional stability in an increasingly volatile region, marked by spill over of insecurity from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea countries.

The European Union has succeeded in further deepening its partnership with Ghana, as it evolved from a strictly developmental partnership to a more political one that is fit to face regional political and security challenges.

It is therefore of utmost importance that we remain close and build upon Ghana's and EU's already strong partnership to defend our common values.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-256408

Closing remarks

President, Honourable Members,

The debate today illustrates European Union's commitment to defend Human Rights as universal values.

Ghana has shown strong commitment to shared interests in a rules-based multilateral order, notably in the context of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and on values dear to the European Union, such as the abolition of the death penalty, an important milestone in Ghana's support for Human Rights.

Therefore, we cannot but partner in Ghana's commitment and regional leadership and in his respect of Human Rights and continue to follow the country in this promising path.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-256410