Full Breakdown
Ghana Parliament Passes Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill
5/30/2026, 4:04:39 AM
Parliament Passes Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill
On 29 May 2026 Ghana’s Parliament passed re-introduced Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. The law criminalises consensual same-sex relations (up to three years’ imprisonment), “promotion” of LGBTQ activities (three-to-five years, up to ten years), and adds three-year sentences for gender-reassignment surgery, same-sex marriage and attending same-sex weddings. Exemptions shield lawyers, journalists and health professionals. Bill now awaits President John Mahama’s signature.
Legal Context
Same-sex activity has been illegal in Ghana since a British-colonial statute, though no prosecutions have occurred. The 2024 bill passed unanimously but lapsed after former President Nana Akufo-Addo declined to sign. 2025 re-introduction retained three-year maximum for same-sex intimacy, introduced three-to-five-year terms for “promotion,” and added up to ten-year penalties. A 2011 survey estimated that 1 % of Ghana’s 31 million population (?350,000) identify as gay or lesbian.
Timeline
- Feb 2024 – Bill passed, no assent.
- Feb 2025 – Mahama affirmed binary gender view.
- 28 May 2026 – Committee recommended passage.
- 29 May 2026 – Parliament approved bill with exemptions.
- 3-6 June 2026 – Ghana hosts African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values.
Official Reactions and Criticism
President Mahama said marriage is between a man and a woman. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the exemptions as professional duties. Minority MPs Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh and John Ntim Fordjour argued the exemptions “water down” the bill. Ghana Human Rights Commission warned law breaches constitutional right of association. Cardinal Peter Turkson distanced himself, citing conflict Catholic teaching. International NGOs and Melane Nathan of the African Human Rights Coalition condemned the bill as among the continent’s repressive.
Impact and Reporting Gaps
Rightify Ghana reported an accelerated timetable and a surge in relocation requests, asylum inquiries and fear among LGBTQ Ghanaians. Sources disagree on the “promotion” penalty (three-to-five years vs. up to ten years) and on nine-month terms, reflecting differences between the 2024 and 2025 drafts. No prosecutions under the law have been recorded, leaving impact uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I believe in the principles and values that only two genders exist – man and woman. And that marriage is between a man and a woman,” — John Mahama, President of Ghana
- “The point we are making here is that this is watering down the point that you wanted Akufo-Addo to sign,” — Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, MP (Bosome-Freho)
- “Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said the exemptions protect professional duties.” — Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader, Parliament
Next Steps
President Mahama must sign the bill for it to become law. Legislation will be examined at 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty (3-6 June 2026), where regional leaders are expected to discuss anti-rights initiatives.
