Ghana’s parliament has handed the Human Rights and Household Values Invoice 2025, generally known as an anti-LGBTQ+ invoice, regardless of robust opposition from the minority parliamentary group, which threatened to withdraw the invoice earlier than its passage on Friday (29 Might 2026).
The aim of the Non-public Member’s Invoice is to supply for human rights sexual rights, household values and associated issues.
It’s a clear ban on LGBTQ+ actions according to Ghana’s authorized framework, which has deeply rooted cultural, spiritual and conventional beliefs.
It might additionally criminalize advocacy, promotion, and funding associated to lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning) folks.
The invoice was launched in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, by Asin South MP Rev. John Nitim Fordjule on behalf of different invoice proponents.
The sponsors are Samuel Ngahti George, Emmanuel Kwasi Bezler, Helen Adwoa Ntoso, Nurudeen Muhamed Munmuni, Vincent Eko Asafuah, Alhassan Tampuri Slemana, Rita Nah Odri Sowa, Abdul Kalib Tia Mahama and Anthony Miye.
The Speaker then referred the invoice to the Structure and Authorized Affairs Committee for consideration and report.
Why the invoice?
Organizers expressed that the nation is united in supporting the passage of the invoice that seeks to guard the morals, tradition, traditions and customs of Ghanaians.
They confirmed that each the Ghanaian folks and the structure acknowledge a household unit consisting of a person and a lady who’re married and have youngsters.
Sponsors additional mentioned that through the years, Ghana has confronted vital strain from globalization and international cultures to embrace practices reminiscent of LGBTQ+ actions that go in opposition to Ghana’s household values and gender norms.
exemption from smuggling
Nonetheless, earlier than the invoice was handed, the minority voiced robust opposition and warned the invoice to be withdrawn earlier than it was handed.
They accused the vast majority of smuggling an modification that had not been thought-about by the Constitutional and Authorized Affairs Committee: exemptions for sure classes of pros, people, and organizations who’re “the very perpetrators of LGTBQ+ practices.”
For instance, they mentioned that professionals and organizations interact in conduct that violates the very crimes “that we’re introducing on this regulation.”
They cited docs, journalists, and civil society teams, all of whom had been exempt, regardless of selling anti-gay conduct.
“What we’re saying is that legal professionals, CHRAJs, journalists, teachers and different professions, organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, people and professionals who perform lawful duties that don’t promote LGBT actions are already exempt if their actions are in furtherance of lawful duties and capabilities.
“So why would they arrive again and introduce or smuggle one thing new that we, the sponsors, haven’t agreed to or mentioned with our sponsors?
The minority accused the vast majority of participating with sure international international locations of directing the introduction of sure amendments to guard professionals and establishments that take care of individuals who interact in anti-gay acts, stating, “Our concern is about the identical folks underneath this authorities who’re granting exceptions in order that they will do LGBT promotion, advocacy, and help work just because this nation receives funding from LGBT folks.”
the president will approve the invoice
Instantly after the invoice was handed, Majority Chief Mahama Ayariga pledged that the invoice can be handed with express consent from President John Dramani Mahama upon passage.
“Mr. Speaker, I might have assured you that the invoice can be permitted tonight with out a ceremony as a result of we now have not but printed a replica of the invoice.
“Sadly, the President is out of his jurisdiction and we’re but to print a replica of the invoice on his behalf. Nonetheless, as soon as we return to Ghana, we are able to guarantee Ghanaians that His Excellency the President has assent to this invoice as promised and it’ll come into power,” he mentioned.
The invoice will not be watered down.
Highlighting the minority opposition to the invoice, Ayariga mentioned the proponents of the proposed invoice in Articles 9 and 10 topic to the Structure have determined that the committee will elaborate on the topic interpretation of the Structure.
“The committee felt that advocacy on this case couldn’t be handled as selling LGBTQ practices with respect to the fitting and freedom of lawyer to defend an individual accused of a criminal offense underneath the Act,” he mentioned.
Equally, he mentioned the committee felt it ought to advocate to the Home that media shops reporting on LGBTQ issues shouldn’t be charged with selling LGBTQ points.
“And teachers and researchers conducting analysis on LGBTQ points must be free to publish their stories.
“Publication of those stories and findings mustn’t represent a criminal offense underneath this Act,” he mentioned.
Lastly, the committee steered that when practising LGBTQ folks go to a hospital and see a physician, whether or not for counseling, therapy, or surgical procedure, “that physician shouldn’t be accused of selling or supporting LGBTQ folks.”
“These are the easy phrases of the suggestions that the committee made to this Home, and as a substitute of us remaining on this chamber to debate and construct consensus, our colleagues within the minority have left and are deceptive Ghanaians as if the invoice to be handed at present is a watered-down model of the invoice that was submitted to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.
“That is removed from the case as one of many invoice’s sponsors, Reverend Ntim Fordjule, allowed the Structure to be adopted. Even when this Home didn’t elaborate on the constitutional compliance, I’m assured that the court docket would have defeated any try and convict docs who present medical providers to all LGBTQ folks,” he mentioned.
The bulk chief additionally mentioned he was assured that any court docket within the nation would defeat any try and prosecute a media firm for reporting on LGBTQ points.
He additionally mentioned he was assured that no court docket would approve of punishing a lawyer who tried to supply authorized providers to a practising LGBTQ particular person.
“These are the one points the place the minority says the invoice is watered down. This invoice will not be watered down,” he mentioned.
double normal
Minority chief Alexander Afenyo-Malkin mentioned the nation had witnessed unprincipled political acts by the bulk.
He mentioned NDC MPs resisted all makes an attempt to amend the proposed invoice whereas in opposition.
He mentioned the very regulation they wished former President Akufo-Addo to signal, when confronted with the identical regulation, he amended and diluted the identical regulation.
Such double requirements do not work for “principled folks,” he mentioned.
“It isn’t sufficient to say one factor whenever you’re in opposition, however whenever you get energy, you modify your place since you suppose nobody can learn your concepts,” he mentioned.
He famous that not one of the NDC proponents of the invoice had been on the ground, regardless of their names being marketed within the movement.
He mentioned that was why the bulk chief, Mr Whip, moved the movement with out a recess within the Home.
“Relating to Movement 42, as soon as once more not one of the sponsors who might have moved the movement participated in transferring the movement,” he mentioned.
background
Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, unanimously handed a invoice that gives for applicable human rights and Ghanaian household values, prohibits LGBTQ+ and associated actions, and prohibits the promotion, protection, and promotion of youngsters and people who’re victims of or accused of LGBTQ+ and associated actions.
Sadly, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was unable to signal the invoice as a result of authorized challenges to its passage.
The invoice finally failed to realize presidential assent and expired in January 2025 following a disastrous defeat within the eighth Congress.
This invoice was launched within the ninth Congress by its sponsor.
