The legislation introduces prison sentences for identifying as LGBTQ+ and supporting LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana.
Ghana’s parliament has approved a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill that criminalises homosexuality, LGBTQ+ identification, and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities.
Under the proposed law, individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer could face up to three years in prison. The bill also creates a legal duty for citizens to report prohibited acts to the police. Supporters and allies of LGBTQ+ individuals could also face criminal penalties.
The legislation now awaits approval from John Dramani Mahama before it can become law. Religious groups and conservative organisations have strongly backed the measure, arguing that it protects Ghanaian cultural and family values.
However, international rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have criticised the bill, warning that it could increase discrimination, surveillance, and risks faced by LGBTQ+ people in the country.
Same-sex relationships have already been illegal in Ghana under colonial-era laws. A similar bill passed parliament in 2024 but did not become law after legal challenges prevented its ratification.
If signed by the president, the Ghana anti-LGBTQ+ bill would mark one of the country’s toughest legal measures against LGBTQ+ rights in recent years.