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Ghana Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ Bill, Sends to Mahama

5/30/2026

Summary

Ghana Parliament Approves Bill

Ghana’s parliament approved an anti-LGBTQ bill and sent it to President John Mahama on Friday.
The bill sets up to three years’ jail for homosexual relations and three to five years for promoting LGBT+ activity, exempting legal, media and healthcare professionals.
Because former President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign, the draft lapses and must be reconsidered, prompting human-rights condemnation and Mahama’s claim that only two genders exist.

Summary

Parliament Passes Bill

Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 on Friday, May 29, 2026 after a third-reading vote.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said the exemptions for lawyers, journalists and health workers protect professional duties.
First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor presided over the session, announcing the bill’s passage.
Minority Caucus members Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh and John Ntim Fordjour criticised the carve-outs as weakening the legislation.

Summary

Ghana Parliament Fast-tracks

Parliament will fast-track a bill on LGBTQ offenses to pass before the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values in Ghana, June 3-6 2026.
The draft sets three-year terms for gender-reassignment surgery and same-sex marriage and up to ten years for “promoting” LGBTQ activity.
Cardinal Peter Turkson said the bill criminalises gay people.
African Human Rights Coalition director Melane Nathan warned the law could trigger arrests, violence and forced exile.

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Ghana Parliament Approves Bill

Ghana’s parliament approved an anti-LGBTQ bill and sent it to President John Mahama on Friday.
The bill sets up to three years’ jail for homosexual relations and three to five years for promoting LGBT+ activity, exempting legal, media and healthcare professionals.
Because former President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign, the draft lapses and must be reconsidered, prompting human-rights condemnation and Mahama’s claim that only two genders exist.

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