Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-gay bill, after adopting a number of amendments to the proposed legislation.
The bill, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ-related activities and advocacy in Ghana, was approved with specific exemptions protecting certain professionals and institutions from prosecution under the law.
Under the amended provisions, lawyers providing legal advice or representation to persons identified as LGBTQ will not face sanctions.
Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related issues as part of their professional duties are also exempted from punishment under the legislation.
In addition, healthcare professionals — including doctors, psychologists, counsellors and other medical practitioners offering healthcare services to LGBTQ persons — will not be penalised.
The bill now awaits presidential assent before it can become law.
Under the previous administration, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declined to assent to the earlier version of the bill, citing legal and constitutional concerns. The failure of the previous bill to secure presidential approval contributed to its reintroduction in the 9th Parliament.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is intended to preserve what they describe as Ghanaian family values and cultural norms, while critics maintain that the legislation could undermine human rights and freedoms.
The passage of the bill is expected to generate renewed debate both locally and internationally, with civil society groups, religious organisations and rights advocates likely to weigh in on the implications of the legislation.
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