Parliament Passes Amended Anti-LGBTQ Bill

Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, after introducing new amendments exempting certain professionals and institutions from punishment under the proposed law.

The legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities, advocacy and promotion in Ghana. However, the revised version protects some individuals carrying out professional duties connected to LGBTQ persons.

Under the amendments, lawyers who provide legal advice or legal representation to persons identified as LGBTQ will not face sanctions under the law. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related matters as part of their professional work are also exempted.

Medical professionals, including doctors, counsellors, psychologists and surgeons offering healthcare or mental health services to LGBTQ persons, will similarly not be penalised.

The Minority Caucus strongly opposed the amendments during parliamentary debate, arguing that the changes suggest the original bill earlier submitted to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was flawed and not properly drafted.

Despite the objections, Parliament proceeded to pass the amended bill on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Background to the Bill

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has remained one of the most controversial legislations in Ghana’s recent political history.

The bill was first introduced in Parliament in 2021 by a group of lawmakers led by Sam George, with support from both Majority and Minority MPs. Supporters argued that although Ghana already criminalised same-sex sexual relations under Section 104 of the Criminal Offences Act, existing laws did not directly address LGBTQ advocacy, funding, activism or public promotion.

The original bill proposed strict penalties for:

• Same-sex sexual relations
• LGBTQ advocacy and promotion
• Formation or funding of LGBTQ groups
• Public displays of same-sex affection
• Media or educational content considered supportive of LGBTQ rights

The proposed legislation received strong backing from religious organisations, traditional leaders and conservative groups who argued it was necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural, religious and family values.

However, human rights organisations, civil society groups, legal experts and several international bodies criticised the bill, arguing that it violated constitutional freedoms and fundamental human rights.

Concerns were also raised about the possible impact of the legislation on Ghana’s international relations, foreign investment and support from development partners.

After years of committee reviews, stakeholder consultations and parliamentary debates, Parliament first passed the bill in February 2024 and forwarded it to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.

The bill, however, was not signed into law following legal challenges at the Supreme Court over its constitutionality and the legislative process surrounding its passage.

Petitioners argued that portions of the bill violated constitutional rights, including freedom of speech, association and equality before the law. Questions were also raised over whether Parliament had complied with constitutional procedures concerning private members’ bills and financial implications.

In 2025, Parliament reconsidered the legislation and introduced amendments before passing it again on Friday, May 29, 2026.

The amended version now exempts:

• Lawyers providing legal representation to LGBTQ persons
• Journalists and media houses reporting on LGBTQ issues
• Medical and mental health professionals offering healthcare or counselling services

Supporters of the amendments argued the exemptions were necessary to protect constitutional rights and professional responsibilities, while critics insisted the changes exposed weaknesses in the original legislation.

The bill now awaits the next stage, including possible presidential assent and any further legal or constitutional challenges.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of Ghana’s most divisive political and social issues, continuing to generate strong reactions from politicians, religious groups, rights advocates and the international community.