Minority Rights Matter: A Critical Discourse Analysis into Which Major Factors Led to the Proposed anti-LGBTQ+ Bill in Ghana

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, introduced to the Ghanaian Parliament in 2021 entitled Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights, and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,2021. The main objective of the study is to trace the reasons leading to the introduction of the proposed Bill and to propose recommendations, borrowing from Peace study approaches, to affecting the LGBTQ+ community rights in Ghana. To achieve its aim, the study used a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) method to draw out factors that led to the drafting of the Bill. The analysis also built on human rights, Othering, and Democracy. Findings indicate that the causes that led to the formation of the proposed-Bill is rooted in a complex web of factors of which Religious and State Institutions seem to be the most prominent, as they currently pivot towards fueling othering and human rights abuses. Also, the study highlighted how formulators of the Bill introduced as part of their discourse a need to implement ‘medical treatment’ for LGBTQ+ persons. This is an indicator of a push to marginalize the LGBTQ+ minority. Such a push represents a deep democratic problem, especially in emerging democracy such as Ghana. The study suggests that peacebuilding processes such as ‘bottom-up peacebuilding’ and ‘sustaining peace processes’ can be tools to foster the creation of cross-organizational collaboration, where policymakers and local citizens work together to promote Human Rights advocacy and equality for all Ghanaians, including minorities such as LGBTQ+ persons.