Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community and rights groups say they are living in fear after parliament approved a bill that criminalises identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer and outlaws the “promotion” or support of LGBTQ+ activities. The measure, passed on Friday, carries prison terms ranging from three to 10 years and is expected to be signed by President John Dramani Mahama.
The human sexual rights and family values bill expands existing prohibitions rooted in colonial-era law. Unlike the earlier ban, which was seldom enforced, the new legislation broadens criminal liability to target not only LGBTQ+ people but also allies and anyone who provides services, support, advocacy or funding. It also includes provisions that require citizens to report suspected LGBTQ+ individuals to authorities.
Under the bill, people found to be identifying as LGBTQ+ could face up to three years behind bars. Those convicted of promoting, propagating, advocating for, supporting or funding LGBTQ+-related activities could face sentences of up to 10 years. MPs approved amendments carving out limited exemptions for doctors and lawyers so they would not be prosecuted for offering care or legal assistance; activists say the stigma and fear created by the law will nonetheless deter people from seeking healthcare, HIV testing or legal help.
Community organisations report immediate consequences. Many LGBTQ+ people are deleting social media content, avoiding public interaction and taking steps to protect their safety online and offline. Leila Lariba, director of One Love Sisters Ghana, which supports lesbian and bisexual women, said people were terrified of eviction, job loss and harassment and that even those who thought they were safe feared exposure.
Rights groups also warn the law’s reach extends far beyond individual relationships. Ebenezer Peegah of Rightify Ghana said the bill criminalises identity, everyday services and the work of civil society; it could be used against journalists, community groups, service providers and even retailers. He described a growing pattern of abuse: the organisation has logged dozens of cases this year involving exposure, eviction and other forms of mistreatment, and some people have asked how to leave the country.
The bill’s sponsor, the Rev John Ntim Fordjour, told parliament the measure was intended to protect family and cultural values. Supporters of the law have framed it as defending social norms, while critics say it violates fundamental freedoms and will intensify stigma and violence against already vulnerable people.
Observers note regional context: Ghana this week hosts the fourth African inter-parliamentary conference on family values and sovereignty, a forum that has previously been linked to hardline anti-LGBTQ+ laws elsewhere in Africa. Activists fear the Ghanaian law will be presented as a model and could encourage similar measures across the continent. In recent years, West African countries including Senegal and Burkina Faso have moved to tighten penalties or introduce new criminal prohibitions related to same-sex relations.
A coalition led by Rightify Ghana says it will challenge the legislation in court, arguing the bill was rushed through its second and third readings and that the parliamentary vote may have lacked the required quorum. International rights organisations have condemned the law: Human Rights Watch warned it endangers lives and “encourages citizens to surveil and denounce one another,” while reproductive rights groups have flagged the conference as a platform for coordinating restrictive policies on sexual and reproductive health.
As the law awaits the president’s signature, community groups are focusing on immediate safety measures and legal challenges, while international and domestic advocates continue to call for protection of basic rights and access to healthcare for all Ghanaians.