By Ebi Kesiena
French Minister for International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has urged African countries to respect the rights of LGBTQ people.
Speaking recently at a press briefing in Ghana’s capital, Accra, Ms Zacharopoulou said protecting LGBTQ rights was a core value and that she would continue to advocate for their rights wherever she goes in Africa.
“In my country and in the European Union, we promote human rights and of course in my ministry, we have an ambassador to promote LGBT rights; so what I can say is that this is our values and wherever I go in Africa, I will continue to say that we have to respect all of us, the LGBTQ community – this is a question of human rights and I always say that,” she said.
Ms Zacharopoulou, who is on a three-day visit to Ghana, is the latest foreign leader to push for gay rights in Ghana.
Last week, US Vice-President Kamala Harris while in Ghana made similar comments about LGBTQ rights being human rights.
Ghanaian lawmakers are currently discussing the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Value Bill – which criminalises advocacy for gay rights and proposes jail terms for those who identify as LGBTQ.
Also, President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo last Monday said the bill had been “modified” following his government’s intervention.
