Ghana’s reintroduction of anti-LGBTQ+ Bill sparks controversy

|Published 5:40 PM ET, Wednesday March 5, 2025|

Ghanaian lawmakers have reintroduced the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, a controversial piece of legislation aiming to impose stricter penalties on LGBTQ+ activities. The bill had previously passed in February 2024 but was not enacted due to former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to await a Supreme Court ruling on its constitutionality, which was dismissed in December 2024. ​

Key Provisions of the Reintroduced Bill:

Increased Penalties: The bill proposes raising the maximum prison sentence for same-sex sexual acts from three to five years. Additionally, individuals found guilty of promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBTQ+ activities could face imprisonment of up to five years. ​

Criminalization of LGBTQ+ Identification: Identifying as LGBTQ+ could result in a prison sentence of up to three years.

Political Dynamics:

Current President John Dramani Mahama has expressed support for the bill but prefers it to be reintroduced by the government rather than individual parliamentarians. Opposition lawmaker John Ntim Fordjour criticized this stance, emphasizing the independence of Parliament. ​

Economic Implications:

Ghana’s Ministry of Finance has cautioned that enacting the bill could jeopardize $3.8 billion in World Bank funding and potentially derail a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout program, both crucial for the country’s economic recovery. A precedent exists where the World Bank halted funding to Uganda following the enactment of similar anti-LGBTQ+ laws. ​

International and Domestic Reactions:

The bill has drawn significant international criticism, including from the United Nations, labeling it as “profoundly disturbing.” Domestically, while some political and religious groups support the legislation, human rights organizations argue it infringes on fundamental freedoms and could lead to increased discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. ​

The reintroduction of this bill places Ghana at a crossroads, balancing societal values, human rights considerations, and potential economic ramifications.

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