The Ghanaian parliament has approved a stringent anti-LGBTQ+ bill, criminalising same-sex relationships and related advocacy. The legislation, passed on Wednesday, imposes prison sentences of up to three years for individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ and up to five years for promoting or funding such activities. The bill now awaits presidential assent.
The Foreign Office has confirmed it is reviewing bilateral aid to Ghana, a Commonwealth member, in light of the legislation. A spokesperson stated: “The UK is committed to defending the human rights of all Commonwealth citizens. We are deeply concerned by this development and will consider all tools at our disposal to uphold our values.”
Ghana’s move places it alongside other African nations, such as Uganda and Kenya, that have recently tightened anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The bill’s proponents, including religious and traditional leaders, argue it protects Ghanaian cultural and moral values. Human rights groups have condemned it as a “grave step backwards” for equality.
The timing is sensitive. The UK, under its Global Britain strategy, has sought to strengthen ties with Commonwealth nations, including through trade and development. Aid to Ghana totalled approximately £100 million annually, focusing on governance, education, and health. A suspension or reallocation of funds would signal a hardening of British policy.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the Foreign Office is under pressure from MPs and human rights organisations to take a firm stance. However, officials are mindful of the risk of alienating a key West African ally. Ghana has been a stable democracy and a partner in counter-terrorism and regional security.
The bill’s path to law is not certain. President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has expressed reservations about the legislation, has not indicated whether he will sign it. He has previously deferred to the parliamentary process. Should he veto, the bill would return to parliament where a two-thirds majority could override him.
For the UK, the decision carries broader implications. The Commonwealth Charter explicitly opposes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Yet many member states maintain colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex acts. London’s response to Ghana will be closely watched in Accra and across the continent.
The Foreign Office review is expected to conclude within weeks. Options include redirecting aid to civil society groups, imposing targeted sanctions on officials, or issuing formal diplomatic protests. A complete aid suspension remains unlikely given strategic interests.
This development unfolds against a backdrop of increased global polarisation on LGBTQ+ rights. While Western nations have advanced protections, African and Middle Eastern states have moved in the opposite direction. The UK’s balancing act reflects the competing demands of value-driven foreign policy and pragmatic geopolitics.
