The Parliament of Ghana has approved a controversial bill that seeks to criminalise homosexuality and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, marking a significant development in the country’s social and legal landscape.
The legislation proposes prison sentences of up to three years for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. It also introduces a “duty to report” provision requiring citizens to notify law enforcement authorities of prohibited acts.
The bill now awaits the assent of President John Dramani Mahama before it can become law.
Religious groups and conservative organisations have continued to push for stricter anti-LGBTQ legislation since Mahama returned to office, arguing that such measures are necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values.
Presenting the bill before Parliament, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour said the legislation would strengthen existing laws and provide a more comprehensive framework for addressing LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
According to him, the bill would make current laws “more robust, more encompassing and more stringent” in dealing with LGBTQ+ practices.
The proposed law also extends penalties to individuals who openly support or advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, including those identified as allies of the community.
However, exemptions are provided for legal practitioners, journalists and healthcare professionals whose work involves reporting on LGBTQ+ issues or providing professional services to affected individuals.
The legislation has attracted criticism from international human rights organisations. Human Rights Watch warned that the bill could increase discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons and encourage surveillance and reporting among citizens.
Same-sex relationships are already prohibited in Ghana under laws inherited from the British colonial era.
A similar bill passed by Parliament in 2024 failed to become law after former President Nana Akufo-Addo withheld assent amid legal challenges.
President Mahama has previously expressed support for legislation recognising only two genders and defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
The development comes amid a broader trend across parts of Africa where governments have introduced stricter laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights and activities.
In March, Senegal approved legislation imposing prison sentences of up to 10 years for same-sex sexual acts and criminalising the promotion of homosexuality. Uganda also introduced tougher anti-LGBTQ laws in 2023, including the death penalty for certain same-sex offences.
The passage of the bill is expected to generate further debate within Ghana and internationally as stakeholders await the president’s final decision on whether to sign the legislation into law.
