Ghana Parliament Passes Law Banning Same Sex Relations

Ghana's parliament has passed a sweeping new law that criminalizes same-sex relations and the advocacy of LGBTQ activities, imposing prison sentences of up to ten years. The legislation, approved on Friday, now awaits ratification by President John Dramani Mahama, who has previously indicated his support.

The bill, formally titled the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, prescribes a prison term of up to three years for individuals who engage in same-sex acts. It also criminalizes the promotion, sponsorship, or funding of LGBTQ activities, with penalties ranging from three to five years in prison. The most severe punishment, up to ten years imprisonment, is reserved for those found guilty of promoting LGBTQ activities. The legislation also includes a five-year prison term for operating a brothel for prohibited sexual activity and introduces a duty to report such acts to authorities.

This legislative action revives a previous version of the bill that was passed by parliament in 2024 but was never signed into law by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo. Under Ghana's constitution, that earlier draft lapsed at the end of the parliamentary term, requiring its re-introduction. The...