Ghana Parliament Passes Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill After Third Reading

Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, the controversial legislation widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, after it was read for the third time on the floor of the House.

The bill, which seeks to criminalise activities related to LGBTQ practices in Ghana, was approved with amendments that exempt certain professionals from punishment under the proposed law. Legal practitioners, media professionals, and health workers who provide services to persons identified as LGBTQ will not face prosecution, a modification that appeared designed to address some of the most vocal criticisms levelled against earlier versions of the legislation.

First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, who presided over proceedings, announced that the bill had been duly read for the third time and passed. The legislation now moves to the next stage of constitutional processes, including presidential assent, before it can take effect as law.

The passage of the bill represents the culmination of years of legislative effort and public debate. Supporters frame the legislation as a defence of Ghanaian family values and cultural norms, while opponents have raised concerns about human rights, individual freedoms, and the potential for the law to be used to target vulnerable communities. International observers and human rights organisations have also weighed in, with some warning that the bill could damage Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democratic governance on the African continent.

The amendments introduced during deliberations mark a notable departure from the bill’s original scope. By carving out protections for professionals, lawmakers acknowledged the practical difficulties of criminalising the provision of legal representation, medical care, and journalistic coverage. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has defended the changes, insisting that the anti-LGBTQ bill remains uncompromising despite parliamentary amendments, and that the exemptions do not dilute the legislation’s core intent.

The bill’s passage nonetheless raises questions about implementation and enforcement. Ghana’s constitution guarantees fundamental rights including freedom of expression, association, and equality before the law. How the new legislation will interact with these constitutional protections is likely to become a matter of legal scrutiny in the months ahead.

The legislation also arrives at a moment when Ghana faces a constellation of pressing challenges, from agricultural sustainability and public health crises to infrastructure development and economic reform. Whether the political capital expended on the bill will ultimately serve the nation’s broader interests remains a matter of sharp disagreement among Ghanaians.

For now, the bill’s supporters can claim a significant legislative victory. Its opponents have vowed to continue their advocacy. And the country waits to learn whether the President will sign it into law.

Image Source: GHANAIAN TIMES