Parliament has passed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, after months of heated national debate and significant international attention.
The bill, sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, and the promotion of what it terms non-conventional sexual relations and family values.
Its passage represents one of the most divisive legislative decisions in Ghana’s recent democratic history, receiving strong backing from conservative and religious groups while facing sharp criticism from human rights organisations and parts of the international community.
Key provisions of the bill propose penalties for individuals engaging in same-sex relations, as well as sanctions against persons or organisations accused of promoting, funding, or advocating LGBTQ+ activities.
Supporters argue that the legislation is essential to safeguard Ghanaian cultural, religious, and family values. Several religious bodies and traditional leaders publicly endorsed the bill during parliamentary debates, stating that it reflects the moral convictions of the majority of Ghanaians.
Critics, however, contend that the law could undermine constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association, and protection from discrimination.
Co-sponsor of the bill, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, and other Minority MPs are strongly opposing attempts to insert clauses that would exempt media, legal, and other professionals from sanctions if their work is deemed to promote LGBTQ+ activities.
The proposed exemptions would cover journalists and media houses reporting on LGBTQ-related matters in the normal course of their duties, as well as professionals providing medical, surgical, psychological, or counselling services.
Rev John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and sponsor of the bill, along with Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, MP for Bosome-Freho, argue that such exemptions are unacceptable and could serve as a backdoor to promote LGBTQ+ activities.
Background
The bill, officially titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was presented for its second reading on Thursday.
It was first introduced in June 2021 by a bipartisan group of MPs led by Sam George, the Ningo-Prampram MP. The bill underwent its first reading in August 2021 and was referred to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for detailed scrutiny.
Between 2021 and 2022, the committee held extensive public hearings involving religious leaders, traditional authorities, legal experts, civil society groups, and human rights organisations. The hearings triggered intense national debate, with supporters viewing the bill as vital for protecting Ghanaian values and opponents describing it as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
