Ghanaian legislators have restarted the process to pass a strict anti-LGBTQ+ bill that would mandate prison time for sexual minorities and those who fail to report them.
Ghana’s parliament has officially moved to reintroduce the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” which would criminalize LGBTQ+ identity with up to three years in prison. Speaker Alban Bagbin directed the bill for scheduling after a parliamentary committee unanimously recommended its return. The legislation previously lapsed in 2024 following a government transition and several unsuccessful constitutional challenges.
President John Mahama has recently signaled he will sign the measure into law, asserting that “family is the foundation of our nation.” While the Finance Ministry previously warned of losing billions in World Bank aid, political support remains high among conservative and religious groups. Proponents argue the law protects traditional values, while human rights activists warn it will foster state-sanctioned persecution.