Ghana Parliament Approves Anti-LGBTQ Law, Awaits President Mahama’s Assent

​ACCRA, GHANA — In a major legislative move, Ghana’s parliament on Friday passed the highly controversial “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” marking one of the most stringent anti-LGBTQ legislations on the African continent. The bill now moves to the desk of President John Dramani Mahama for ratification.

​The piece of legislation, which has sparked intense domestic and international debate, passed through an accelerated legislative process. Lawmakers fast-tracked the bill’s consideration and final readings this week, aligning its passage just ahead of Accra hosting the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, scheduled for early June 2026.

​Strict Penalties and New Exemptions

​The approved bill tightens existing colonial-era laws by directly criminalizing LGBTQ identity, advocacy, and relationships. Key provisions include:

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• ​Imprisonment for Relations: Individuals engaging in same-sex relations face up to three years of imprisonment.
• ​Crackdown on Promotion: A penalty of between three and five years (with related clauses seeking up to 10 years in previous drafts) for the promotion, sponsorship, or intentional support of LGBTQ+ activities.
• ​Exemptions: Unlike the initial iterations of the text, the version approved on Friday introduces specific legal protections and liability exemptions for media, healthcare, and legal professionals operating in their official capacities.

​While same-sex relationships have long been illegal under a British colonial-era penal code, actual prosecutions have been historically rare. This new legislative framework shifts the landscape by actively targeting advocacy groups, support networks, and public expressions of identity.

​A Complex Political Pathway

​The journey of the “Family Values” bill has been marked by shifting political terms. A similar version was passed unanimously by parliament in February 2024. However, former president Nana Akufo-Addo declined to sign it into law, citing pending constitutional challenges. Under the provisions of Ghana’s constitution, draft legislation left unsigned at the expiration of a parliamentary term automatically lapses, forcing the new parliament to reintroduce the bill from scratch in early 2025.

​The bill’s fate now rests with President John Mahama, who assumed office in January 2025. Mahama has previously faced domestic political pressure regarding his stance on the issue. While he campaigned on conservative social principles, he has more recently faced criticism from local religious leaders after stating that addressing core socioeconomic challenges—such as healthcare, education, and inflation—remains his administration’s top priority.

​Rising Tensions and International Outcry

​The passage of the bill has triggered immediate pushback from civil rights groups and international observers. Human rights defenders, alongside organizations like Rightify Ghana, have condemned the legislation, arguing that it systematically violates constitutional guarantees of privacy, freedom of speech, and assembly.

​Conversely, conservative coalitions and powerful religious institutions, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have vocalized deep support for the passage, framing it as a necessary measure to preserve traditional family structures.

​As the bill heads to the Jubilee House for the president’s signature, diplomatic and economic observers are watching closely, noting that the ultimate implementation of the law could heavily impact Ghana’s international relations and donor funding pathways.