The US Government has in a memorandum cautioned countries abroad that infringes on the rights of LGBT community in their respective nations.
“Through this memorandum, I am directing all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons. Specifically, I direct the following actions, consistent with applicable law,” the preamble of memorandum intercepted by Cedidollar.com stated.
The memorandum which has eight sections, in part, threatened visa restrictions and withholding of financial aid to countries abroad who may infringe on the rights of LGBT.
The substance of the 2021 memo which builds on the historic legacy of the 2011 memorandum is essentially to direct executive departments and agencies engaged abroad to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons everywhere. This memorandum builds upon that historic legacy and updates the 2011 memorandum.
Section 3 of the Memo stated: “Agencies involved with foreign aid, assistance, and development programs shall expand their ongoing efforts to ensure regular Federal Government engagement with governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector to promote respect for the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons and combat discrimination. Agencies involved with foreign aid, assistance, and development programs should consider the impact of programs funded by the Federal Government on human rights, including the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, when making funding decisions, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.”
The memo further averred that all human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love.
This memo appears to embolden (LGBT) activists around the globe, including in Africa who are fighting for equal protection under the law, freedom from violence, and recognition of their fundamental human rights.
LGBT Rights and Ghana’s position
Though President Joe Biden, is strategically and proactively promoting the rights and well-being of LGBT people; this mission or task will pose a tremendous challenge to Ghana in the face of Ghana’s position on the LGBT.
This memo appears to be an affront to countries, including Ghana where LGBT rights remain acts of illegality.
Now, Ghana risks being one of the countries to be sanctioned by the US Government in its direct response to Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Ghana must comply to directives of the LGBT Law, or risk having a diplomatic row with the US Government and possibly a discontinuation of the foreign aid assistance to Ghana.
Adoption of these recommendations will help to restore the U.S. government’s commitment to ensuring the respect, dignity, and rights of LGBT people across the country and abroad are taken into consideration.
Background
In August 2018, President Akufo-Addo stated that the Government of Ghana would not legalise same-sex marriage or decriminalise homosexuality.
Many public officials from government and church organizations are publicly against the LGBT community.
Ghana is one of 32 countries in Africa that still criminalize same-sex relations, according to the latest report from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). A culprit faces a 3 years imprisonment sentence if found guilty.
