Ghana’s parliament has passed a controversial bill that imposes some of the world’s harshest penalties for same-sex relationships, criminalising not only sexual acts but also public advocacy and funding for LGBTQ+ rights groups. The legislation, which now awaits presidential assent, has drawn immediate condemnation from international human rights organisations and the British government.
The bill, titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was introduced by a cross-party coalition of MPs and received overwhelming support in a voice vote on Wednesday. It prescribes prison sentences of up to three years for individuals found guilty of engaging in same-sex relations, and up to five years for those who promote, sponsor, or support LGBTQ+ activities. Organisations found to be providing funding or resources to LGBTQ+ groups face dissolution and the forfeiture of assets.
In a statement issued shortly after the vote, the UK Foreign Office expressed deep concern, calling on Commonwealth partners to defend the universality of human rights. “The United Kingdom is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We urge our partners in the Commonwealth to uphold these fundamental freedoms,” a spokesperson said. The statement stopped short of specifying punitive measures but hinted at a review of bilateral engagement.
Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, defended the bill as a reflection of the country’s cultural and religious values. “This legislation is not about hate. It is about preserving the moral fabric of our society. Ghanaians have spoken clearly through their representatives,” he told reporters in Accra.
Human rights groups, however, warn the law will empower discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ Ghanaians. Amnesty International described it as “a devastating blow to human rights” and called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to veto the bill. The president has not yet indicated his position, though he previously stated that he would not sign any legislation that undermines constitutional rights.
The passage of the bill comes at a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment across parts of Africa. Uganda enacted a similar bill in 2023, prompting sanctions from the United States and the World Bank. Kenya and Tanzania have also seen increased legislative efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights.
Diplomatic sources suggest the UK’s intervention is part of a broader strategy to leverage Commonwealth ties to counter such measures. The Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 member states, has faced internal divisions over human rights, with some nations accusing Western members of neo-colonial interference.
The bill’s future remains uncertain. President Akufo-Addo faces pressure from both domestic religious and traditional leaders, who support the bill, and international donors who have threatened to cut aid. Ghana is the second-largest recipient of UK aid in sub-Saharan Africa, receiving approximately £140 million in 2023.
“This is a test of Ghana’s commitment to rule of law and human dignity,” said Alice Nkom, a Cameroonian human rights lawyer. “If the president signs this bill, he will be endorsing state-sanctioned persecution.”
The UK Foreign Office has not detailed next steps, but officials indicate that diplomatic pressure will intensify if the bill becomes law. The Commonwealth Secretariat has so far remained silent, but internal correspondence seen by this correspondent suggests Secretary-General Patricia Scotland is urging dialogue.
For now, Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community braces for a new era of legal vulnerability. “We are not criminals. We are Ghanaians,” said a spokesperson for LGBT+ Rights Ghana, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “We will continue to exist, but we will be forced further into the shadows.”
