The anti-LGBT+ bill is back in Ghana – now with stronger political support. We stopped it before. Sign now to protect LGBT+ rights and defeat it again!
In Ghana, a new dangerous anti-LGBT+ bill threatens basic human rights, safety, and freedom.
Parliament is once again trying to push through the ‘Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill’ – a piece of legislation that would criminalize LGBT+ people and anyone who supports them. This is not the first time this bill has appeared: after an outpouring of international and local resistance last year, it was stopped. But now, with a newly elected President openly supporting harsher anti-LGBT+ laws and key politicians rushing the process, the risk of rapid approval has never been higher.
If this bill becomes law, it would mean jail sentences of up to three years for anyone merely suspected of being LGBT+. Citizens would be legally required to report individuals suspected of being LGBT+. Penalties include:
Up to 3 years in prison for identifying as LGBT+.
5–10 years for promoting LGBT+ rights or offering support services.
Bans on gender-affirming care, sex toys, same-sex relationship, and LGBT-inclusive education.
Criminalization of allyship, funding, and advocacy in both physical and digital realms.
Over the past year, violence and discrimination against LGBT+ Ghanaians have surged, fuelled by hateful rhetoric from politicians and religious leaders. Many have already lost jobs, homes, and even family support – simply for being themselves.
Just a few months ago, Ghana’s Supreme Court threw out challenges to the bill, claiming it was “too soon” – even as the threat grew. And with more support from the new President and key lawmakers, this time the bill could pass even faster, leaving LGBT+ people in Ghana at greater risk than ever before.
Ghana’s leaders often claim to champion democracy. But democracy means protecting everyone’s rights – not just those of a privileged few. When human rights are under attack, every Ghanaian suffers, and Ghana’s standing in the world is damaged. The last time, a wave of global solidarity delayed the bill – proof that our voices matter. We defeated this bill once. We can do it again – but only if we act now, together.
Join thousands standing with LGBT+ Ghanaians. Sign the petition to demand that Ghana’s authorities reject this bill and instead protect the rights, safety, and dignity of everyone. Every signature sends a clear message: the world is watching, and love will not be silenced.
To the President of the Republic of Ghana, Members of the Parliament of Ghana
LGBT+ Ghanaians are under attack. The reintroduction of the ‘Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,’ poses a grave threat to human rights, democracy, and Ghana’s international standing. The proposed bill seeks to criminalize LGBT+ individuals and their allies, imposing severe penalties on those who express or advocate for their rights.
The legislation would not only severely disrupt health services — especially HIV/AIDS programming that serves key populations — and violate Ghana’s own constitutional protections of dignity, privacy, and free expression, but also contradicts the country’s commitment to international human rights treaties and democratic principles.
The bill’s provisions, which include imprisonment of LGBT+ people and their supporters and the endorsement of harmful ‘conversion therapy’ practices, endanger lives and foster a culture of fear and discrimination.
Furthermore, the passage of this bill would have serious economic and diplomatic repercussions for Ghana. International trade partners, foreign investors, and development allies have already raised concerns about the economic consequences of enacting such discriminatory laws. Ghana risks significant financial losses, reduced foreign aid, and damage to its reputation as a leader in democracy and human rights in Africa.
Your leadership in upholding the dignity and rights of all Ghanaians, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is crucial at this critical moment. Reject this dangerous bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusion, equality, and progress for all citizens.
In 2021, 8 members of parliament in Ghana brought forward a bill that would criminalize the country’s LGBT+ community and its allies.
Ghana's Parliament completed the consideration stage of the Anti-LGBT+ Bill moving it closer to its passage. The Parliamentary Committee, bill sponsors and drafters of the bill were asked to refine and finalize the proposed amendments then present the bill for the Third Reading.
Ghana's Parliament unanimously passed the ‘Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill’, stripping away the rights, safety and dignity of LGBT+ Ghanaians.
Ghana’s Supreme Court unanimously dismissed two separate cases challenging the legality of this bill, deeming them premature as the law has not yet formally come into effect.
Following Ghana's general elections and the formation of a new Parliament, the anti-LGBT+ bill was rendered void as the outgoing President refrained from signing it into law.
10 Ghanaian Members of Parliament resubmitted the bill back to Parliament.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was formally introduced in Parliament and received its First Reading. This marks the start of the official process the bill must go through before it can become law.
What have supporters of the bill said?
Powerful politicians and religious leaders are driving the push for the anti-LGBT+ bill – spreading misinformation and fueling fear to justify attacks on basic rights.
Their words do not speak for all Ghanaians.
In fact, courageous local activists and community members are standing up every day to demand dignity and equality for everyone. But these harmful statements have a real impact: they feed a climate of violence, fear, and discrimination that endangers lives.
“[...] I have spoken with the Speaker so that a renewal of the expired Proper Family Values Bill should be a bill that is introduced by the government rather than as a private member motion.
It is my hope that consultation will see a renewed Proper Family Values Bill. I believe that my leadership should be a reflection of the people that I govern and upon this I stand firm.”
- President John Mahama (Source)
“This will not take time, it will be passed this year. It is ungodly, and nobody should joke with me on this. I can lose my life for this cause.”
- Alban Bagbin, The Speaker of Parliament (Source)
Despite what some politicians and religious leaders claim, many Ghanaians are bravely standing up for inclusion, dignity, and the right to live free from fear.
"My biggest fear is the rate of suicides among younger queer people."– Efe, a lesbian in her 30s, is also a health worker, and poet
"The anti-LGBT+ bill in Ghana could put me at risk of violence, harassment, and intimidation, affecting my safety and mental health. My work with HIV intervention programs will be impacted, and I will face social isolation and stigma and also my art and creative expression might also be restricted." – Gay man, late 20s, also community worker in the HIV programs
"Since this bill emerged, hostility has escalated and people feel licensed to harm us, openly and without shame." – Trans woman, early 20s
"When the bill was first introduced, it birthed a new level of fear in me. [...] The bill will fuel attacks and abuse on someone like me, who has physical features deemed to be for the opposite sex, unwarranted attacks, for that matter. [...] This bill will only make it harder for employers to associate with someone like me, whose physique would be considered suspicious. No good will come from this bill, for targeting someone like me will not better the development of the country in any way." – Gay man, mid 30s
In 2025, we worked with Rightify Ghana to provide emergency support to LGBT+ people in their community impacted by the increase in hostility on the ground.
Donate today to make sure All Out can continue responding fast to emergencies like this, and keep supporting groups fighting back against anti-LGBT+ legislation.
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