Ghana’s parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill by a voice vote, imposing prison terms of up to 10 years for those who promote, sponsor, or advocate LGBT activity — and up to three years for individuals who openly identify as LGBT.
The bill was introduced after an earlier version passed unanimously in 2024 but expired unsigned when former President Nana Akufo-Addo left office. The reintroduced bill passed Friday after the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously recommended its adoption. President John Dramani Mahama — who has previously signaled support for the legislation — now faces pressure to sign it into law.
The bill also bans the funding of LGBT-associated groups and activities, and amends Ghana’s Extradition Act to make offences under the new law extraditable. It includes exemptions for legal professionals, healthcare workers, and media members acting in professional capacities.
West Africa has seen a wave of similar legislation. Senegal doubled its maximum prison term for same-sex acts to 10 years in March and criminalized promotion of homosexuality. Burkina Faso criminalized same-sex acts for the first time in September 2025.
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