Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith opposes anti-LGBTI+ laws in Ghana

Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, the Anglican Primate of West Africa, has publicly opposed anti-LGBTI+ legislation in Ghana, marking a significant shift from his previous stance. In a recent interview, Ben-Smith stated that while traditional Ghanaian culture may not accept homosexuality, queer individuals have long coexisted within the society and are “all children of God.”

He noted that many West African societies practiced forms of gender diversity prior to British colonization, which introduced anti-LGBTI+ laws to the region. The Archbishop’s comments come as a reversal of his 2021 and 2022 positions, where he and other Ghanaian bishops advocated for the criminalization of sexual minorities and supported harsh penalties.

The controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, passed by the Ghanaian Parliament, includes provisions that can punish the promotion or support of same-sex activities with up to five years in prison. The law also mandates a duty to report prohibited acts, potentially subjecting citizens to prison terms of up to three years if they fail to report suspected queer individuals, though exemptions exist for journalists, lawyers, and medical professionals.