Ghana’s parliament on Friday approved one of the most repressive anti-LGBTQ laws in Africa, which is now awaiting ratification by President John Mahama.
The law on sexual rights and family values imposes a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment for people who engage in homosexual relations, and between three and five years for the promotion, sponsorship or intentional support of LGBT+ activities.
The bill was already passed unanimously by parliament in 2024 but former president Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign it.
Under Ghana’s constitution, draft legislation not signed by the president before the end of a parliamentary term automatically lapses and requires re-examination by the new parliament. Related News Kenya court suspends opening of US Ebola quarantine centre 105 Nigerians killed in S’Africa since 2019 — Community ‘Over 80% of ISIS operations now in W’Africa’
The law approved on Friday retains the previous bill’s core provisions but includes exemptions for legal, media and healthcare professionals.
