LGBTQ+ Bill Could Shape 2028 Elections, Majority of Ghanaians Say – APL Survey
Over 80% of voters say government’s handling of LGBTQ+ bill will influence their 2028 election decision
- APL survey shows 80.7% of voters say the LGBTQ+ bill will affect their voting decisions in 2028.
- Majority of respondents express disappointment and feel misled over the bill’s delay.
- Over half of respondents support voting out the current government if the issue is not addressed.
A new nationwide survey suggests that the ongoing debate over Ghana’s proposed LGBTQ+ legislation could play a major role in shaping voter decisions ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to the findings by Africa Policy Lens, more than 80% of respondents indicated that the government’s delay in assenting to the bill would influence how they vote in the next presidential election.
The survey, conducted between April 9 and 11, 2026, sampled 6,796 eligible voters across all 16 regions through bulk SMS responses.
Strong Public Sentiment on the Issue
Director of Research and Administration at APL, Hayford Mensah Ayerakwa, noted that the findings point to growing public expectations of political accountability on the issue.
“This suggests there is a real accountability mechanism being activated,” he said, adding that many voters now see the matter as a test of government credibility.
The survey revealed that:
- 80.7% of respondents say the delay will affect their voting choice in 2028
- 85.2% expressed disappointment over the delay
- 86.4% feel misled by the government’s handling of LGBTQ+ issues
Calls for Political Action
The findings also highlight strong political implications:
- 57.5% of respondents support voting out the current administration over the issue
- 29.3% favour protests and increased public pressure
- Only 6.8% believe no action is necessary
Regional Engagement and Political Pressure
The survey shows particularly high engagement in urban areas, with Greater Accra recording 23.3% of responses and the Ashanti Region 14.8%.
The proposed legislation—passed by Parliament but yet to be signed into law—continues to generate debate among religious groups, civil society organisations, and international stakeholders.
Political Implications Ahead of 2028
Although the next general election is still two years away, analysts suggest the findings signal that political parties may not be able to avoid the LGBTQ+ issue in their future campaign messaging.
The survey comes amid broader scrutiny of the government of President John Dramani Mahama, particularly on governance and economic expectations.
The report suggests the LGBTQ+ debate is increasingly becoming a defining political issue with potential long-term electoral consequences.
