Accra, Ghana — Ghana has once again entered the center of continental and international debate as the country renews its push to pass one of Africa’s toughest anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, initially passed in 2024 but stalled by legal challenges, has been reintroduced in Parliament with even stronger criminal penalties.
President John Dramani Mahama has declared that he would immediately sign the bill if Parliament approves it, framing his position as a defense of traditional Ghanaian family values.
A Stronger Bill: Prison Sentences for Simply Identifying as LGBTQ+
The updated proposal introduces some of the strictest measures on the continent:
Criminalization of LGBTQ+ Identity
Individuals simply identifying as LGBTQ+ could face prison sentences, an unprecedented measure in West Africa.
Harsher Penalties for Activists and Organizations
Advocates, NGOs, and community leaders supporting LGBTQ+ rights could face extended prison terms and legal sanctions.
Total Ban on Gender-Affirming Care
The bill prohibits all forms of gender-affirming medical or psychological services, regardless of age.
Reinforced Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
The existing ban is further strengthened, with penalties for anyone attempting to conduct, promote, or recognize same-sex unions.
Ghana Risks Clashing with International Partners
Human rights groups — including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch — warn that the bill could:
- increase discrimination and violence,
- undermine freedom of expression,
- restrict civil liberties,
- and criminalize an already vulnerable minority.
Several international partners have signaled their concern, including the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, raising the possibility of:
- cuts in development aid,
- suspension of cooperation projects,
- and diplomatic tensions.
Mahama: “Defending our family values”
President Mahama states that the bill aims to protect Ghana’s cultural and moral foundations, a view supported by many religious and traditional groups.
However, human rights organizations fear that the legislation will:
- fuel violence and harassment,
- encourage public denunciations,
- create a climate of fear,
- and damage Ghana’s international image as a stable democracy.
A Growing Divide in West Africa
By reinforcing this bill, Ghana joins the list of African countries that have recently tightened anti-LGBTQ+ measures, including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
But unlike these states, Ghana plays a key strategic role in:
- regional diplomacy,
- ECOWAS leadership,
- and continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This gives the debate a much broader geopolitical dimension.
Ghana Faces a Defining Crossroads
The return of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill marks a decisive moment for Ghana. The country stands between:
- affirming its cultural and religious identity, and
- maintaining its commitments to international norms and human rights frameworks.
President John Mahama’s position — ready to sign the bill — places him at the heart of this national and global confrontation.
The central question remains:
Will Ghana prioritize the protection of its societal values or its international partnerships?
RussAfrik will continue to monitor this critical development shaping Africa’s political and social landscape.
Mamadou Cheikh, Correspondant
