The African Globe

Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s Parliament has approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, a controversial piece of legislation widely regarded as one of the strictest anti-LGBTQ laws in Africa. The bill now awaits the assent of John Dramani Mahama before it can become law.

The legislation imposes prison sentences of up to three years for individuals who engage in same-sex relations and provides penalties of three to five years for those found promoting, sponsoring, funding, or intentionally supporting LGBTQ-related activities. The bill also includes provisions requiring the reporting of certain prohibited acts to authorities.

Supporters of the bill argue that it reflects Ghana’s cultural, traditional, and religious values, which largely oppose same-sex relationships. They contend that the legislation is intended to protect what they describe as Ghanaian family values and social norms.

Human rights organizations and LGBTQ advocacy groups have strongly condemned the measure, arguing that it could increase discrimination, restrict freedom of expression and association, and expose LGBTQ individuals to greater risks of harassment and abuse. Critics also warn that the law could have implications for Ghana’s international reputation and relationships with development partners.

The bill is a revised version of legislation that was previously passed by Parliament in 2024 but was never signed into law before the end of the administration of Nana Akufo-Addo. Under Ghana’s constitutional procedures, the measure had to be reintroduced and approved again by the new Parliament.