Ghana’s Parliament has passed one of the most comprehensive anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation on the African continent, criminalising not only same-sex conduct but also the promotion, funding, or public support of LGBTQ identities. The bill, which passed with a comfortable majority after a heated all-night debate, has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, human rights organisations, and the country’s already fragile relationship with Western development partners.
The law makes it a criminal offence to engage in, promote, fund, or even publicly express support for same-sex relationships. Convictions carry prison sentences of up to seven years. Organisations that provide services to LGBTQ individuals — including healthcare, counselling, or legal advice — also face criminal liability, as do media outlets that publish content deemed to “normalise” homosexuality. The legislation covers both Ghanaian citizens and foreigners present in the country.
Supporters of the bill argued that Ghana’s cultural and religious identity demanded legal protection from what they described as the aggressive expansion of Western LGBTQ ideology into African societies. They pointed to public surveys showing overwhelming opposition to homosexuality across all demographic groups and age cohorts in Ghana.
“The people of Ghana have spoken clearly, and Parliament has acted,” said Nana Akua Sarpong, the MP for Asante who championed the bill through its committee stage. “We are not persecuting anyone. We are protecting our values, our families, and our sovereignty.”
Critics have raised serious concerns about the law’s compatibility with Ghana’s own 1992 constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to personal liberty. Legal analysts note that the bill’s broad definition of “promotion” could expose tourists, business travellers, and foreign diplomatic staff to criminal prosecution. Several embassies in Accra have issued internal advisories to their nationals.
The international reaction was swift. The United States embassy in Accra expressed “deep concern” and said it was reviewing the implications for bilateral relations. The European Union delegation to Ghana said the law would “inevitably affect development cooperation and trade relations.” A spokesperson for the United Nations human rights office called the legislation “deeply discriminatory” and said it violated Ghana’s obligations under international human rights law.
Human rights organisations described the outcome as catastrophic for Ghana’s already struggling civil society space.
“This law will be used to silence dissent, close community organisations, and send people to prison for who they are,” said Kwame Asiedu of the Ghanaian human rights NGO Inclusive Justice. “It is not just an attack on LGBTQ people — it is an attack on the constitutional rights of every Ghanaian.”
The law now awaits presidential assent. President John Dramani Mahama, who took office in January, has not publicly stated whether he will sign or veto the bill. Sources within the presidency suggest the decision is complicated by the political sensitivity of the issue ahead of the 2028 general election.
For LGBTQ Ghanaians — a community that has operated in the shadows for decades — the passage of the law marks the beginning of a far more dangerous chapter. Several community organisations have already begun winding down their operations, while some members have reportedly sought to cross into neighbouring countries where the legal environment is less hostile.
“I don’t know what we do now,” said one community organiser who asked not to be named for fear of criminal repercussions. “We had a little space before. Now even that is gone.”
International observers will be watching closely to see how the law is enforced — and whether Ghana’s courts, which have historically shown independence on constitutional matters, will be asked to review its compatibility with the grundnorm.
