Ghana's Parliament has approved a controversial bill that imposes stricter penalties on LGBTQ-related activities, bringing the legislation one step closer to becoming law.
The bill, officially known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, was passed on Friday and now awaits the approval of President John Mahama.
Under the proposed law, individuals found engaging in same-sex relationships could face up to three years in prison. The legislation also prescribes prison terms ranging from three to five years for anyone accused of promoting, financing, or supporting LGBTQ-related activities.
A similar version of the bill was unanimously approved by Parliament in 2024. However, former President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign it into law before leaving office. According to Ghana's constitution, any unsigned bill expires at the end of a parliamentary term and must be reconsidered by a newly elected parliament.
The latest version of the bill retains most of its original provisions but introduces exemptions for healthcare workers, legal practitioners, and members of the media acting in the course of their professional duties.
Ghana, a predominantly Christian and socially conservative country, already criminalizes same-sex relations under a law inherited from the colonial era. Despite this, no known prosecutions have been carried out under the existing legislation.
The bill has drawn criticism from local and international human rights organizations, which argue that it could increase discrimination and limit the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
If signed by the president, the legislation would become one of the toughest anti-LGBTQ laws on the African continent.
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