By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Parliament of Ghana on Friday passed the amended Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, after debates and amendments.
The legislation, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ activities, was passed with new amendments that exempt certain individuals and institutions from sanctions under the law.
The bill also exempts journalists and media organizations reporting on LGBTQ-related issues or current affairs in the course of their professional duties.
In addition, the law will not penalize medical professionals, including those providing surgical, psychological, and counseling services to LGBTQ persons.
Supporters of the amendments argued the changes were necessary to protect constitutional rights and professional responsibilities, while some MPs opposed the exemptions, saying they weakened the bill.
The bill was first introduced in Parliament in 2021 as a private members’ bill by a group of lawmakers led by Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George, together with several co-sponsors from both the majority and minority sides of the 8th Parliament.
It was reintroduced in 2025 and has now passed again in the current Parliament.
The next step is presidential assent before it can become law. Further constitutional or legal challenges are also expected.
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Ghana’s recent history.
The bill was introduced in Parliament to strengthen existing laws against same-sex relations and to prohibit the promotion, advocacy, and funding of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
Before the introduction of the bill, Ghana already had laws criminalizing same-sex sexual relations. Section 104 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act criminalizes what the law describes as “unnatural carnal knowledge,” which has long been interpreted to include consensual same-sex relations between adults.
However, supporters of the bill argued that the existing laws were inadequate because they did not directly address LGBTQ+ advocacy, public campaigns, funding, or activism. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
