Parliament of Ghana has passed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill, following years of intense public debate and international scrutiny.
Officially titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, the legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, funding, and the promotion of what it describes as non-conventional sexual relations.
The bill’s passage marks one of the most divisive moments in Ghana’s recent political history, drawing strong support from religious bodies and traditional leaders while attracting criticism from human rights organisations and sections of the international community.
Under the proposed law, individuals who engage in same-sex relationships could face criminal penalties, while organisations and persons accused of supporting or promoting LGBTQ+ activities may also face sanctions.
Supporters argue the legislation is necessary to preserve Ghanaian cultural, moral, and family values. Several religious and traditional groups consistently backed the bill during parliamentary deliberations, insisting it reflects the beliefs of the majority of Ghanaians.
However, critics contend that aspects of the bill could conflict with constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association, and protection against discrimination.
Debate within Parliament intensified after proposals were introduced seeking exemptions for journalists, media houses, lawyers, doctors, counsellors, and other professionals whose work may involve LGBTQ-related matters in the course of their duties.
The proposed amendments aimed to protect media practitioners reporting on LGBTQ issues, as well as medical and mental health professionals offering support services.
But co-sponsor of the bill, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, together with Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh and other Minority lawmakers, opposed the suggested changes.
According to them, granting such exemptions could create loopholes that may eventually be exploited to promote LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.
The bill was first introduced in June 2021 by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sam George.
It underwent its first reading in August 2021 before being referred to Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for further review.
Between 2021 and 2022, the committee held extensive consultations involving religious leaders, traditional authorities, legal experts, civil society organisations, and human rights groups.
Those consultations triggered widespread national debate, with supporters insisting the bill was necessary to preserve Ghanaian values, while opponents described it as discriminatory and potentially unconstitutional.
