Parliament has passed the reintroduced Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, with new amendments exempting lawyers, journalists, and health professionals from sanctions under the proposed legislation.
The bill, passed on Friday, May 29, 2026, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities in Ghana while introducing limited protections for specific professional responsibilities.
Under the amended provisions, lawyers offering legal representation or advice to persons identified as LGBTQ will not be punished under the law. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related issues in the course of their professional duties are also exempt from sanctions.
In addition, medical professionals, including doctors, counsellors, psychologists, and other health practitioners providing medical or psychological services to LGBTQ persons, will not face penalties under the proposed law.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Ghana’s recent history.
Supporters argue that it is intended to strengthen existing laws against same-sex relations and prohibit the promotion, advocacy, and funding of LGBTQ activities in the country.
Before the introduction of the bill, Ghana already criminalised same-sex sexual relations under Section 104 of the Criminal Offences Act, which prohibits what the law describes as “unnatural carnal knowledge.”
However, proponents of the bill maintained that existing laws did not adequately address LGBTQ advocacy, activism, public campaigns, and funding.
The bill was first introduced in Parliament in 2021 as a private member’s bill led by Ningo-Prampram MP Samuel Nartey George alongside bipartisan co-sponsors.
Its reintroduction in 2025 was again spearheaded by Samuel Nartey George and Assin South MP John Ntim Fordjour, with support from several lawmakers across Parliament.
Other sponsors of the bill include MPs Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Nurideen Muhammed Mummuni, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Tiah Abdul Kabiru Mahama, and Anthony Mmieh.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
