Ghana’s parliament has handed the Human Rights and Household Values Invoice 2025, generally known as an anti-LGBTQ+ invoice, regardless of sturdy 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 Personal Member’s Invoice is to offer for human rights sexual rights, household values and associated issues.
It’s a clear ban on LGBTQ+ actions in step with Ghana’s authorized framework, which has deeply rooted cultural, non secular and conventional beliefs.
It will additionally criminalize advocacy, promotion, and funding associated to lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning) individuals.
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 individuals and the structure acknowledge a household unit consisting of a person and a lady who’re married and have youngsters.
Sponsors additional stated that over time, Ghana has confronted important stress from globalization and international cultures to embrace practices corresponding to LGBTQ+ actions that go in opposition to Ghana’s household values and gender norms.
exemption from smuggling
Nevertheless, earlier than the invoice was handed, the minority voiced sturdy opposition and warned the invoice to be withdrawn earlier than it was handed.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 of by the Constitutional and Authorized Affairs Committee: exemptions for sure classes of execs, people, and organizations who’re “the very perpetrators of LGTBQ+ practices.”
For instance, they stated that professionals and organizations have interaction in conduct that violates the very crimes “that we’re introducing on this legislation.”
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 attorneys, 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 features.
“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 nations of directing the introduction of sure amendments to guard professionals and establishments that cope with individuals who have interaction in anti-gay acts, stating, “Our concern is about the identical individuals underneath this authorities who’re granting exceptions in order that they’ll do LGBT promotion, advocacy, and help work just because this nation receives funding from LGBT individuals.”
the president will approve the invoice
Instantly after the invoice was handed, Majority Chief Mahama Ayariga pledged that the invoice can be handed with specific consent from President John Dramani Mahama upon passage.
“Mr. Speaker, I’d have assured you that the invoice can be authorized tonight with no ceremony as a result of we’ve 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. Nevertheless, 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 pressure,” he stated.
The invoice shouldn’t be watered down.
Highlighting the minority opposition to the invoice, Ayariga stated 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 correct and freedom of legal professional to defend an individual accused of against the law underneath the Act,” he stated.
Equally, he stated the committee felt it ought to suggest to the Home that media retailers reporting on LGBTQ issues shouldn’t be charged with selling LGBTQ points.
“And teachers and researchers conducting analysis on LGBTQ points needs to be free to publish their studies.
“Publication of those studies and findings mustn’t represent against the law underneath this Act,” he stated.
Lastly, the committee prompt that when working towards LGBTQ individuals go to a hospital and see a physician, whether or not for counseling, remedy, or surgical procedure, “that physician shouldn’t be accused of selling or supporting LGBTQ individuals.”
“These are the straightforward phrases of the suggestions that the committee made to this Home, and as an alternative 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 in the present day 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 companies to all LGBTQ individuals,” he stated.
The bulk chief additionally stated 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 stated he was assured that no court docket would approve of punishing a lawyer who tried to offer authorized companies to a working towards LGBTQ particular person.
“These are the one points the place the minority says the invoice is watered down. This invoice shouldn’t be watered down,” he stated.
double commonplace
Minority chief Alexander Afenyo-Malkin stated the nation had witnessed unprincipled political acts by the bulk.
He stated NDC MPs resisted all makes an attempt to amend the proposed invoice whereas in opposition.
He stated the very legislation they needed former President Akufo-Addo to signal, when confronted with the identical legislation, he amended and diluted the identical legislation.
Such double requirements do not work for “principled individuals,” he stated.
“It isn’t sufficient to say one factor whenever you’re in opposition, however whenever you get energy, you alter your place since you assume nobody can learn your concepts,” he stated.
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 stated that was why the bulk chief, Mr Whip, moved the movement with no recess within the Home.
“Concerning Movement 42, as soon as once more not one of the sponsors who may have moved the movement participated in shifting the movement,” he stated.
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 kids 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 on account of authorized challenges to its passage.
The invoice finally failed to achieve 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.
