Parliament has passed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, following months of heated public debate and international attention.
The bill, sponsored by bipartisan lawmakers, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy and the promotion of what it describes as non-conventional sexual relations and family values.
Its passage has become one of the most divisive moments in Ghana’s recent legislative history, receiving strong support from religious and conservative groups while attracting criticism from human rights organisations and parts of the international community.
The proposed law includes penalties for individuals involved in same-sex relationships and sanctions against persons or organisations accused of promoting, funding or advocating LGBTQ+ activities.
Supporters of the bill say it is necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural, religious and family values.
Several religious groups and traditional leaders publicly backed the legislation during parliamentary discussions, arguing that it reflects the moral beliefs of the majority of Ghanaians.
Critics, however, say the bill could violate constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association and protection from discrimination.
Meanwhile, co-sponsor of the bill, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, and some Minority MPs opposed attempts to amend parts of the legislation to remove sanctions against media practitioners, lawyers and health professionals who provide services that could be interpreted as promoting LGBTQ+ activities.
The proposed amendments sought to exempt journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related issues as part of their work, as well as professionals offering medical, psychological, surgical or counselling services to affected individuals.
However, the MP for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, together with the MP for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, argued that such exemptions were unacceptable and could create room for the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities.
The bill, officially titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was reintroduced for second reading in Parliament on Thursday as part of its legislative process.
The proposed law was first introduced in June 2021 by a bipartisan group of MPs led by Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George.
It later underwent its first reading in August 2021 before being referred to Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for review.
Between 2021 and 2022, the committee held public consultations involving religious groups, traditional leaders, legal experts, civil society organisations and human rights advocates.
The consultations sparked nationwide debate, with supporters insisting the bill was needed to preserve Ghanaian values, while opponents described it as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
