ACCRA – Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community is expressing fear and uncertainty after parliament approved a bill that criminalises identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, t...
ACCRA – Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community is expressing fear and uncertainty after parliament approved a bill that criminalises identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, as well as the promotion and support of LGBTQ+ activities.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was passed by lawmakers on Friday and is expected to be signed into law by President John Dramani Mahama. The legislation introduces prison sentences ranging from three to 10 years for offences related to LGBTQ+ identity and activities.
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Rights groups say the approval of the bill has already caused anxiety among LGBTQ+ individuals across the country. Community organisations report that many people are reviewing their social media accounts and removing online content that could reveal their identities or associations.
Leila Lariba, director of One Love Sisters Ghana, an organisation that supports lesbian and bisexual women, said members of the community are worried about the impact the law could have on their daily lives.
“People are panicking and scared. The new bill affects where you are staying; it can get you evicted; it can lead you to lose your job,” Lariba said.
She added that her organisation has advised people to prioritise their safety both online and offline. According to Lariba, individuals are being encouraged to remove content from social media platforms that could expose them to risk under the proposed legislation.
Same-sex relations were already prohibited under a British colonial-era law in Ghana, although rights groups say the restriction was rarely enforced. The newly approved bill significantly expands criminal liability by targeting not only LGBTQ+ individuals but also those who provide support, services, advocacy or funding related to LGBTQ+ activities.
Under the legislation, identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer could result in a prison sentence of up to three years. Individuals found guilty of promoting, advocating for, supporting or funding LGBTQ+-related activities could face prison terms of up to 10 years. The bill also includes provisions requiring citizens to report suspected LGBTQ+ individuals.
Lawmakers approved amendments that exempt healthcare professionals and lawyers from prosecution when providing services to LGBTQ+ individuals. However, activists argue that the law may still discourage people from seeking healthcare and legal assistance due to fears of stigma, discrimination or exposure. Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on HIV testing and access to support services.
Lariba said she believes the legislation will be signed into law and warned that some people may use it to justify harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. She said incidents of harassment already occur and fears they could increase if the bill becomes law.
The legislation follows a similar bill approved by Ghana’s parliament in 2024. Former president Nana Akufo-Addo left office without signing that version into law. During debate on the current bill, sponsor Rev John Ntim Fordjour told parliament that the legislation was intended to protect Ghanaian family and cultural values.
Rights organisations have strongly criticised the bill. Ebenezer Peegah, director of Rightify Ghana, said the proposed law extends beyond same-sex relationships and could affect civil society groups, healthcare providers, journalists and other individuals. He also expressed concern about provisions requiring people to report suspected LGBTQ+ individuals. According to Peegah, Rightify recorded 80 cases this year involving members who reported being exposed, abused or evicted.
The bill comes as Ghana hosts the fourth African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty in Accra from June 3 to June 6. The conference has previously been held in Uganda. Reproductive rights organisation Ipas said such conferences have become platforms for discussions on policies related to sexual and reproductive health rights across Africa and highlighted growing collaboration between lawmakers from different countries on family values legislation.
Meanwhile, a coalition of organisations led by Rightify is preparing a legal challenge against the parliamentary decision. The coalition argues that the bill moved through its second and third readings too quickly and that the required parliamentary quorum was not met during the vote. International organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have also criticised the proposed law, saying it could place people at risk and encourage citizens to report one another.
