Ghana’s Parliament is once again set to debate one of the country’s most contentious pieces of legislation — the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. A coalition of 10 Members of Parliament, led by Sam George (NDC, Ningo-Prampram) and Ntim Fordjour (NPP, Assin South), has reintroduced the bill as the House resumes sitting today, Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, first presented in 2021, seeks to outlaw LGBTQ+ activities and impose severe penalties on those who engage in or promote them.
Under the proposed law, individuals found guilty of same-sex acts could face up to three years in prison, while those who advocate for or fund LGBTQ+ causes could face up to ten years.
Despite widespread criticism from international bodies such as the United Nations and global human rights groups, the bill’s sponsors argue that it is meant to protect Ghana’s cultural and moral heritage. They insist that Western concepts of sexuality are incompatible with traditional Ghanaian values and family structures.
The renewed push comes months after the Supreme Court halted progress on the original bill due to injunction suits challenging its constitutionality. Although the Court has yet to deliver a ruling, the coalition of MPs says the reintroduction is intended to keep the bill alive within the legislative process and reaffirm Parliament’s stance on the issue.
Political observers note that the bipartisan nature of the sponsorship, uniting MPs from both the NDC and NPP, demonstrates strong cross-party consensus on the matter, in contrast to the usual partisan divides in the House. The reintroduction is expected to dominate parliamentary debate in the coming weeks, potentially leading to long sessions and heated discussions.
Previously, Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs conducted extensive nationwide consultations, receiving more than 150 submissions from religious groups, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and international advocates. With the bill now back before Parliament, both supporters and opponents are gearing up for renewed public campaigns.
Faith-based groups representing over 70% of Ghana’s population have already pledged their support, calling the bill essential to preserving the country’s moral fabric. Meanwhile, human rights advocates warn that its passage would endanger freedoms and contradict Ghana’s international human rights obligations.
The Speaker of Parliament is expected to officially refer the reintroduced bill to the relevant committee, setting the stage for what many expect to be one of the most closely watched legislative battles in recent years.
