Ghana’s Parliament has approved the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and is now awaiting presidential assent
Ghana’s parliament has approved legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, which includes the introduction of jail terms and stricter regulations, pending presidential approval.
Ghana’s parliament has enacted a contentious anti-LGBTQ+ bill that criminalizes homosexuality and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, representing one of the nation’s most stringent actions against sexual minorities.
The legislation, pending the approval of President John Dramani Mahama to take effect, stipulates prison sentences of up to three years for individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
The bill also establishes a legal requirement for citizens to inform law enforcement authorities about prohibited LGBTQ+ activities.
Proponents of the legislation argue that it aims to safeguard Ghanaian cultural and family values, whereas rights organizations have criticized it as discriminatory and perilous.
While addressing parliament, the bill’s sponsor, John Ntim Fordjour, stated that the legislation aims to enhance the current laws regarding same-sex relationships.
He stated that the new provisions would render existing laws “more robust, more encompassing, and more stringent in addressing the practices of LGBTQI.”
The legislation encompasses more than just same-sex relationships, as supporters of LGBTQ+ individuals may also encounter possible criminal penalties. Exemptions are provided for journalists, lawyers, healthcare workers, and other professionals who address LGBTQ+ issues as part of their responsibilities.
The bill has faced significant backlash from international human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch cautioned that the legislation might increase risks for LGBTQ+ individuals and promote a culture of surveillance among citizens, urging them to monitor and report on each other.
Colonial-era laws inherited from British rule prohibit same-sex relationships in Ghana.
The most recent vote comes after a similar bill failed in 2024. Parliament passed the bill, but then-President Nana Akufo-Addo chose not to sign it due to ongoing legal challenges.
President Mahama has previously voiced his backing for laws that limit LGBTQ+ rights. Shortly after assuming office, he expressed his belief that “only two genders exist: man and woman” and asserted that marriage should be confined to a man and a woman.
The development positions Ghana alongside various African nations that have recently imposed stricter limitations on LGBTQ+ rights. In March, Senegal enacted legislation that imposes prison sentences of up to 10 years for same-sex acts and criminalizes the promotion of homosexuality. Meanwhile, Uganda introduced a death penalty for specific same-sex acts in 2023.
