Parliament has approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, reviving one of Ghana’s most hotly debated pieces of legislation after introducing a number of amendments to its provisions.
Commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill, the legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities in Ghana. However, lawmakers included new exemptions that shield certain professionals and institutions from penalties that could arise under the proposed law.
Among those exempted are lawyers who provide legal counsel or representation to individuals identified as LGBTQ. Under the amended bill, legal practitioners carrying out their professional duties will not face sanctions.
Journalists and media organisations have also been excluded from punishment when reporting on LGBTQ-related matters as part of legitimate news coverage and current affairs reporting. The same protection extends to healthcare professionals, including doctors, surgeons, psychologists and counsellors who offer medical, psychological or therapeutic services to LGBTQ persons.
The amendments triggered strong resistance from the Minority Caucus, which argued that the changes effectively acknowledge shortcomings in the version of the bill that had previously been forwarded to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
Despite those objections, Parliament proceeded to pass the amended legislation.
How the Bill Reached This Stage
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has remained one of the most contentious legislative proposals in Ghana’s recent history.
Its proponents argued that existing laws were insufficient to address LGBTQ advocacy and activism, even though same-sex sexual relations were already criminalised under Ghanaian law. Section 104 of the Criminal Offences Act prohibits what it describes as “unnatural carnal knowledge,” a provision that has long been interpreted to include consensual same-sex relations between adults.
Supporters of the bill maintained that additional legislation was needed to restrict LGBTQ advocacy, public campaigns, funding and organised activism.
The proposal was first introduced in Parliament in 2021 as a private members’ bill spearheaded by Sam George and backed by lawmakers from both sides of the House.
Religious groups, traditional authorities and conservative organisations rallied behind the legislation, arguing that it was necessary to preserve Ghanaian cultural, religious and family values. Many supporters also insisted Ghana should resist what they viewed as external pressure to embrace LGBTQ rights.
Key Provisions in the Original Bill
The initial version sought to impose penalties for:
- Same-sex sexual relations
- LGBTQ advocacy and promotion
- Formation or funding of LGBTQ groups
- Public displays of same-sex affection
- Media or educational content perceived to support LGBTQ rights
It further proposed sanctions for individuals and organisations accused of promoting LGBTQ activities.
National and International Reactions
The bill rapidly became the focus of intense debate both within Ghana and abroad.
Several religious bodies, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Christian Council, Pentecostal and Charismatic groups, as well as some Islamic organisations, publicly supported the legislation.
Opposition came from human rights advocates, legal scholars, civil society groups and international organisations, many of whom argued that the bill threatened constitutional freedoms and fundamental rights.
Foreign governments, international NGOs and global human rights institutions also voiced concern, warning that the legislation could harm Ghana’s democratic credentials and international reputation.
Questions were also raised about possible economic consequences. During 2023 and 2024, reports indicated that some donor partners and international financial institutions were closely monitoring developments. Analysts cautioned that passage of the bill could have implications for foreign investment, development assistance and access to certain international support programmes.
Parliamentary Review and Legal Challenges
Over several years, the bill underwent committee scrutiny, stakeholder consultations and extensive parliamentary debate.
The Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee received submissions from religious organisations, legal practitioners, academics, civil society groups and members of the public. Discussions largely focused on constitutional rights, freedom of expression, religious beliefs, family values and Ghana’s obligations under international agreements.
Parliament first approved the bill in February 2024 and subsequently transmitted it to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
The legislation, however, did not immediately become law.
A series of legal challenges were filed at the Supreme Court, questioning both the constitutionality of certain provisions and the procedures followed during its passage. These court actions delayed presidential assent.
Petitioners argued that aspects of the bill infringed on constitutional protections relating to freedom of speech, association and equality before the law. Other challenges centred on whether Parliament had complied with constitutional requirements governing private members’ bills, particularly on issues involving financial implications.
The legal disputes ultimately became a significant hurdle to the bill’s enactment.
Amendments Introduced in 2025
As Parliament revisited the legislation in 2025, lawmakers introduced a number of changes before taking a fresh vote on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The revised bill grants exemptions to:
- Lawyers providing legal representation to LGBTQ persons
- Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related issues
- Medical and mental health professionals delivering healthcare or counselling services
Backers of the amendments said the changes were necessary to safeguard constitutional protections and ensure professionals could perform their duties without fear of prosecution.
Some Minority members, however, maintained that the revisions highlighted weaknesses in the earlier version of the legislation.
What Happens Next?
With Parliament having approved the amended Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, attention now turns to the next stage of the process.
Whether the legislation ultimately becomes law will depend on presidential assent and any additional constitutional or legal challenges that may arise.
Even after its latest passage, the bill continues to divide opinion across Ghana, drawing strong reactions from religious organisations, political actors, human rights advocates and members of the international community.
