Ghana’s parliament has approved a new bill that criminalizes homosexuality and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, according to the BBC. The legislation. Which still requires ratification by President John Dramani Mahama, imposes up to three years in prison for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.

Bill Includes ‘Duty to Report’ Prohibited Acts

The bill introduces a “duty to report” provision that compels citizens to inform the police of prohibited acts. This has raised concerns among human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, which stated the law places LGBTQ+ individuals at risk and “encourages citizens to surveil and denounce one another.”

Religious leaders have long advocated for stronger anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and they are now urging President Mahama to ratify the bill. Same-sex relationships have been banned in Ghana since colonial times, but the new legislation expands the scope of the law to include those who promote or support LGBTQ+ rights.

Bill’s Sponsor Says It Protects Cultural Values

The bill’s sponsor, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, argued in an address to Parliament that the law is necessary to protect Ghanaian family and cultural values, while he stated that the new bans would make existing laws “more strong, more encompassing, and more stringent in dealing with the practices of LGBTQI.”

Under the proposed law, individuals who identify as “allies”,a general term for supporters of LGBTQ+ people—could also face prison sentences; However, the bill includes exemptions for legal, media, and healthcare professionals who report on LGBTQ+ issues or provide services to the community.

Human Rights Watch submitted a formal recommendation urging the bill to be abandoned. The organization made its submission to the constitutional and legal affairs committee in Accra, which has been scrutinizing the legislation.

President Has Stated Support for the Bill

President Mahama has indicated he would support the bill’s passage. Shortly after taking office, he stated, “I believe in the principles and values that only two genders exist, man and woman. And that marriage is between a man and a woman.” This aligns with a broader trend in several African countries where LGBTQ+ rights have faced increasing restrictions.

Ghana previously passed a similar bill in 2024, but it did not become law after former president Akufo-Addo declined to sign it amid legal challenges. The current bill is seen as a continuation of a political and cultural shift toward stricter anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Other African nations have also enacted similar legislation. In March, Senegal’s parliament approved a law prescribing a maximum 10-year prison term for sexual acts by same-sex couples and criminalizing the “promotion” of homosexuality. In 2023, Uganda introduced a death penalty for certain same-sex acts.