Ghana has passed a revised Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, with new exemptions triggering debate over whether key provisions have been weakened….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Ghana’s Parliament has approved a controversial new bill that would significantly tighten restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, introducing prison terms for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and criminalising the promotion and support of LGBTQ+ activities.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill proposes jail terms of up to three years for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. The legislation also introduces a “duty to report”, requiring citizens to inform police about activities prohibited under the law.
The bill now awaits the approval of President John Dramani Mahama before it can come into force.
Supporters of the legislation say it is designed to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values and strengthen existing laws governing same sex relationships, which are already criminalised under statutes dating back to the British colonial era.
Presenting the bill in Parliament, its sponsor, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, said the measure would make existing legislation “more robust, more encompassing and more stringent” in dealing with LGBTQ+ activities.
Under the proposed law, individuals identified as “allies” or supporters of LGBTQ+ people could also face criminal penalties. However, lawmakers included exemptions for legal professionals, journalists and healthcare workers who report on LGBTQ+ issues or provide services to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
According to a BBC report, religious leaders and conservative groups have been pressing for stronger anti LGBTQ+ legislation since President Mahama returned to office last year.
The legislation has attracted criticism from international human rights organisations. Human Rights Watch warned that the bill could place LGBTQ+ individuals at greater risk and encourage citizens to monitor and report one another. The organisation urged lawmakers to abandon the legislation during parliamentary scrutiny of the measure.
Parliament previously passed a similar bill in 2024, but it failed to become law after former President Nana Akufo Addo did not sign it amid ongoing legal challenges.
President Mahama has previously expressed support for the legislation. Shortly after taking office, he stated that he believed only two genders exist, male and female, and that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
The bill reflects a broader trend across parts of Africa, where several countries have introduced stricter anti LGBTQ+ legislation in recent years. Senegal approved similar legislation earlier this year, while Uganda’s 2023 anti homosexuality law introduced the death penalty for certain same sex acts.
The latest measure is expected to reignite debate in Ghana over the balance between cultural values, religious beliefs, human rights and civil liberties as the country awaits the president’s decision on whether to sign the bill into law.
