Ghana’s Parliament Reintroduces Controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

Ghana’s Parliament has formally reintroduced the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, clearing the way for its second reading in the House.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, directed the Business Committee to schedule the bill for debate after determining that it satisfies constitutional and procedural requirements under the House’s Standing Orders.

The decision follows Standing Order 187(2), which requires the Speaker to inform Parliament whether a private member’s bill complies with Article 108 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution before it can be introduced.

The bill was previously before Parliament but did not complete the legislative process before the end of the last parliamentary term. Its reintroduction marks a significant step in efforts by its sponsors to secure its passage in the Ninth Parliament.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was first introduced as a private member’s bill and seeks to impose stricter penalties on same-sex relations and related advocacy activities.

Same-sex sexual activity is already criminalised in Ghana under existing law, carrying a prison sentence of up to three years. The proposed bill would expand criminal liability to include the promotion, funding or public advocacy of LGBTQ+ activities, and would introduce longer custodial sentences for certain offences.

The bill has also drawn international attention, with some foreign governments and multilateral institutions expressing concern about its potential impact on human rights and Ghana’s global partnerships.