A constant point of contention between Western nations and African nations has reared its ugly head again after the Ghanaian parliament passed a new anti-LGBTQ bill. This creates a dilemma for western nations who wish to push back against such anti-LGBTQ measures within Africa. However, not so much to the point where they alienate African governments in the face of Russia and China, who seek to gain influence over the continent.
This latest row between in the clash of cultures began after Ghana’s parliament passed a bill which imposes a 3-year jail term on anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+. in addition, the law imposes a maximum of a five-year jail term for the formation or funding LGBTQ+ groups, according to the BBC.
It’s not as if Ghana had been a very LGBTQ+ friendly nation prior to the passing of the law. Gay sex is already punishable by a three-year prison sentence, this law seeks to go even further by essentially making it illegal to even advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ people within the country (which could be seen as being anti-democratic as well).
The bill has received support from religious communities within Ghana, especially. According to the BBC, the Christian Council of Ghana and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council described being a member of the LGBTQ+ community as being “alien to the Ghanaian culture and family value system and, as such, the citizens of this nation cannot accept it.”
In response to the bill, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that “Should the bill pass, it would potentially have ramifications on U.S. assistance.” he stated that “Limiting the rights of one group in a society undermines the rights of all.” and urged the Ghanian parliament to review the constitutionality of the bill. The U.S. is said to have provided more than $211 million in assistance to Ghana in 2022 alone.
However, the reality is that many African countries are very conservative and many within African societies hold anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. In some cases, it has been found that even younger generations (who generally tend to be more progressive) tend to hold the same intolerant views towards LGBTQ+ peoples as older generations.
A similar situation played out between the United States and Uganda, after the East African nation had passed their Anti-Homosexuality Act. The passing of that act by the Ugandan parliament was met by fierce reaction by Washington. In response, the United States government placed travel restrictions and sanctions on individuals involved in the passing of the act, reduced the amount of aid towards Uganda, and business and travel advisories had been issued against Uganda.
Now, as you could have imagined, this did not deter the passing of the law or cause the Ugandan government to reverse course. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni disparaged the US government for getting involved in Uganda’s politics. He asked the United States forcing their values down the throats of Ugandans.
“If you want freedom, if you value freedom, then you should value the freedom of everybody,” “If you value independence, if you value dignity, then you must respect the dignity of everybody. Stop manipulations and lectures to the societies that are different from yours” Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said.
“If you want freedom, if you value freedom, then you should value the freedom of everybody, If you value independence, if you value dignity, then you must respect the dignity of everybody. Stop manipulations and lectures to the societies that are different from yours”
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
It’s clear that such a clash of cultures likely will not be resolved anytime soon, as a result, western countries are faced with a major dilemma. Should they compromise on their beliefs in order to maintain good relations with African countries, despite their intolerance shown to members of the LGBTQ+ community? Or do they push further and make demands of African countries to be more tolerant at the risk of potentially alienating them, allowing Russia or China to step in and fill the void left by the West?
