Ghana’s parliament has approved a controversial bill that criminalizes the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, imposing prison sentences of up to 10 years for those who promote, sponsor, or advocate LGBTQ+ acts. This legislation, known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill, also bans funding related to LGBTQ+ groups and activities, reflecting a broader trend of intensified legal penalties for sexual minorities in West Africa. Supporters of the bill argue that it safeguards cultural norms and family values within Ghana, while human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International warn of its negative impact on the country’s human rights landscape.
While previous legislative efforts, such as the bill passed in 2024, did not secure the president’s signature, the current political climate suggests a different outcome. Ghana’s constitution stipulates that unsigned draft legislation expires at the end of a parliamentary term. The revised bill, though similar in its core provisions, includes exemptions for legal professionals, media, and healthcare workers, allowing these groups to continue serving LGBTQ+ clients without penalty. Proponents believe that President John Dramani Mahama, with his more conservative stance, is likely to approve the bill, differing from his predecessor Nana Akufo-Addo’s approach.
The legislation aligns Ghana with over 30 African nations that criminalize same-sex relationships, with penalties ranging from lengthy prison terms to, in extreme cases such as in Somalia and Mauritania, the death penalty. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) and Pan Africa ILGA have called for President Mahama to reject this bill, underscoring the risks it poses to fundamental human rights and democratic principles enshrined in the constitution.
As international observers and advocacy groups express concern, the passage of the bill signifies a pivotal moment for Ghana, impacting not just its legal system but also its standing on the global stage in terms of human rights commitments. For more detailed analysis of the bill’s implications and reactions, the full narrative can be explored here.