The remarks on LGBTQ rights by US Vice-President Kamala Harris, while in Ghana have been criticised as “undemocratic” by the country’s Speaker.
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 that identify as LGBTQ.
On Tuesday, Speaker Alban Bagbin urged lawmakers not to be “intimidated by any person”.
Ms Harris had not directly addressed the bill during a joint briefing with President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday, but said: “it is an issue that we consider to be a human rights issue and that will not change.”
Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, where homophobic attitudes are widespread, but the draft law would impose longer sentences.
Meanwhile, Harris is expected to arrive in Tanzania shortly for a three-day official visit – the second stop on her three-nation tour of Africa.