A GNA Feature by Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, May 30, GNA – The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Ghana’s recent history. Parliament passed the amended bill on Friday, May 29, 2026, setting the stage for a final decision by President John Dramani Mahama.
WHAT THE BILL SEEKS TO DO
The legislation was introduced to strengthen existing laws against same-sex relations and to prohibit the promotion, advocacy, and funding of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
Ghana already criminalises same-sex sexual relations.
Section 104 of the Criminal Offences Act penalises “unnatural carnal knowledge,” a provision long interpreted to include consensual same-sex relations between adults.
Supporters argued those laws were inadequate because they did not directly address LGBTQ+ advocacy, public campaigns, funding, or activism.
ORIGIN AND KEY PROVISIONS
The Bill was first introduced in Parliament in 2021 as a private members’ bill by a group of lawmakers led by Mr Samuel Nartey George, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, with co-sponsors from both Majority and Minority sides.
The original version proposed strict penalties for:
– Same-sex sexual relations
– LGBTQ+ advocacy and promotion
– Formation or funding of LGBTQ+ groups
– Public displays of same-sex affection
– Media or educational content perceived to support LGBTQ+ rights
It also proposed penalties for individuals or organisations accused of promoting LGBTQ+ activities.
WHO BACKED IT, WHO OPPOSED IT
The legislation gained support from religious groups, traditional leaders, and conservative organisations.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Christian Council, Pentecostal and Charismatic groups, and some Islamic organisations openly backed it, arguing it was necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural, religious, and family values.
Supporters insisted Ghana should resist what they described as growing international pressure to accept LGBTQ+ rights.
Human rights groups, legal experts, civil society organisations and international bodies criticised the Bill, arguing it violated constitutional freedoms and fundamental human rights.
Several foreign governments, international NGOs and global human rights organisations also expressed concern, warning it could damage Ghana’s international image and democratic reputation.
YEARS OF DEBATE AND DELAYS
The Bill went through Committee review, stakeholder consultations, and several debates over multiple years. Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee received memoranda from religious bodies, legal practitioners, academics, civil society organisations and members of the public. Debates centered on constitutional rights, freedom of expression, family values, religious beliefs, and Ghana’s international obligations.
Concerns also emerged about Ghana’s relations with international development partners.
In 2023 and 2024, reports suggested that some international financial institutions and donor partners were closely monitoring developments. Analysts warned that passage could affect foreign investment, aid relationships, and access to international support programmes.
However, Parliament first passed the Bill in February 2024 and forwarded it to then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
He did not sign it immediately.
Legal challenges filed at the Supreme Court questioned the constitutionality of the bill and the process of its passage, including arguments over financial implications and procedures for private members’ bills.
The cases stalled assent.
2025 AMENDMENTS AND MAY 29 PASSAGE
In 2025, Parliament reconsidered the legislation and introduced amendments before passing it again on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The revised version introduced exemptions for:
– Lawyers offering legal representation to LGBTQ+ persons
– Journalists and media houses reporting on LGBTQ+ issues
– Medical and mental health professionals providing healthcare or counselling services
Supporters of the amendments argued they were necessary to protect constitutional rights and professional responsibilities.
Some members of the Minority opposed the changes, arguing they suggested the earlier version of the bill had flaws.
Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Assin South and Sponsor of the Bill opposed proposed amendments to Clause 9 of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The amendment sought to remove sanctions for individuals who provide legal advice or representation to persons identified as LGBT.
The Clause also proposed exemptions for Journalists and media houses reporting on LGBT-related news or current affairs in the normal course of their work, as well as for professionals offering medical, surgical, psychological, or counselling services to such individuals.
Together with Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, the NPP MP for Bosome-Freho, the MPs argued that the proposed changes suggested the version of the Bill submitted for assent by former President Akufo-Addo was not adequately fit for purpose.
“Mr. Speaker, these are the people sponsoring, supporting, pro- making sponsoring, making these activities attractive behind the scenes and even sometimes overtly. And so, if I find it highly problematic, any attempt by this house to push any of these exceptions in, we will resist it. And if the house will use their majority numbers to push it through, I, as a sponsor, will advise myself accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his submission on the Floor of Parliament on Friday, Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, explained that the proposed amendments were intended to narrowly define exemptions in the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, to ensure that professional services and routine activities were not interpreted as promoting LGBT activities.
“Mr. Speaker, the Media raised strong issues because they think that we are violating the right to free expression. Professionals such as lawyers raised strong issues that we are violating their professional freedom and violating the rights of people to legal services.
“So, what the committee is trying to do is to narrowly set out those exceptions where, when you speak, you will not be considered as promoting or supporting LGBT,” he said.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Parliament has now passed the amended Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025. The next major step depends on presidential assent and any possible legal or constitutional challenges that may follow.
The Bill remains one of the most divisive social and political issues in Ghana, generating strong reactions from religious groups, politicians, rights advocates, and the international community.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei
[email protected]
