Ghana passes bill criminalising promotion of LGBTQ rights

Ghana has passed one of Africa's most repressive anti-LGBTQ laws, criminalizing the promotion of LGBTQ rights with up to five years in prison—marking a sharp escalation in the region's growing trend of anti-LGBTQ legislation. The law, backed by religious groups and supported by a cross-party parliamentary majority, expands on existing bans on same-sex relations and targets funding, advocacy, and even the publication of materials involving LGBTQ topics, with stiffer penalties for content aimed at children. Critics, including Human Rights Watch and economists, warn of potential international sanctions and damage to Ghana’s global standing, especially given past U.S. and World Bank sanctions on Uganda after similar laws. Yet, the law reflects deep religious conservatism across West Africa, where politicians fear electoral backlash for opposing such measures. Meanwhile, in the U.S., a federal judge blocked Donald Trump’s attempt to rename the Kennedy Center, ruling only Congress can make such a change—marking a rare legal check on his efforts to imprint his image on national institutions. In China, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, Shi Yong-xin, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzling $19 million, transforming the sacred temple into a commercial enterprise. His lavish lifestyle, including fast cars and extramarital children, sparked outrage and led to a state-led crackdown on elite corruption.