Ghana’s parliament has passed a wide-ranging anti-LGBTQ+ bill that introduces criminal penalties for same-sex relationships and targets individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, or transgender, drawing fierce criticism from human rights organisations around the world while receiving broad support within the country.
What the Law Contains
The legislation, which had been debated and revised over several years, makes same-sex acts punishable by custodial sentences. The bill also includes provisions targeting individuals who publicly identify as LGBTQ+, as well as those who advocate for or promote LGBTQ+ rights within Ghana’s borders. Critics warn that the law is broadly worded in ways that could be used to criminalise a wide range of activity, including journalism, activism, and even private expression of identity.
Supporters of the bill, which drew backing from religious groups, traditional leaders, and many parliamentarians across party lines, argued that the legislation reflects Ghanaian cultural and religious values and responds to widespread public sentiment in the country. Ghana is a deeply religious society with significant Christian and Muslim populations, both of which have historically opposed LGBTQ+ rights.
International Condemnation
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, condemned the passage of the bill in strong terms, warning that it would expose LGBTQ+ Ghanaians to violence, discrimination, and arbitrary arrest. United Nations officials called on Ghanaian authorities to protect the rights of all citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and urged the government to reconsider the legislation.
Several Western governments expressed concern. The United States and a number of European nations issued statements warning that the law could affect diplomatic relations and development assistance, though no concrete measures were immediately announced. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in Ghana, many of which operate under considerable risk even without the new law, said the legislation would drive their communities further underground and make it harder for individuals to seek help or legal protection.
A Broader Continental Trend
Ghana’s move is part of a broader pattern across parts of Africa where legislators have moved to restrict LGBTQ+ rights in recent years. Uganda passed similarly strict legislation in 2023, and several other countries on the continent maintain laws that criminalise same-sex relationships to varying degrees. Advocates have raised alarm about what they describe as a coordinated regional effort to roll back the limited protections that have existed in some African countries.
For LGBTQ+ Ghanaians, the passage of the bill represents a significant and frightening escalation. Community representatives have spoken of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about their futures in the country. Some have begun exploring options to leave Ghana, while others have said they have no choice but to remain and face an increasingly hostile legal environment.
