A group of 10 Ghanaian MPs have resubmitted a highly controversial anti-LGBT bill, aiming to enforce some of Africa’s strictest restrictions on LGBT rights.
If passed, the legislation would impose a three-year prison sentence on individuals identifying as LGBT, while advocates and promoters could face five to ten years in jail.
The bill initially cleared parliament in 2023, but former President Nana Akufo-Addo refused to sign it into law before leaving office in January, citing legal concerns.
Uncertain Future in Parliament
With the previous parliament dissolved before Ghana’s December 2024 elections, all pending bills, including this one, were dropped. The new parliamentary speaker has yet to decide whether the bill will be reconsidered.
President John Mahama has suggested that the bill should be state-sponsored to ensure broader national consensus before moving forward.
“We should have a conversation on it again so that if we decide to move the bill forward, we do so with consensus,” Mahama stated.
Opposition & Human Rights Concerns
International and local human rights groups have condemned the bill, warning that it contradicts Ghana’s tradition of tolerance and could lead to increased violence against LGBT people.
Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué described the bill as:
“Inconsistent with Ghana’s long-standing tradition of peace, tolerance, and hospitality, and a violation of international human rights obligations.”
Ghanaian trans activist Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi called the bill’s return “disheartening and hard to process,” but vowed that LGBT advocacy efforts would continue.
Economic Risks & Global Impact
The potential economic fallout of passing the bill remains a significant concern.
Ghana’s former finance minister warned that enforcing the legislation could jeopardize $3.8 billion in development aid from the World Bank and impact the country’s $3 billion IMF support program.
However, opposition lawmaker John Ntim Fordjour dismissed fears of economic consequences, citing global shifts in political dynamics, particularly under former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The global political climate is favorable for conservative values, as seen in the bold pronouncements of President Donald Trump,” Fordjour stated.
A Long-Running Debate
The bill, first introduced in 2021, has faced multiple delays but remains one of Ghana’s most polarizing political topics.
As the new parliament prepares to debate its fate, the country stands at a crossroads between traditional values, human rights, and economic interests.
Will Ghana push forward with the strict anti-LGBT legislation, or will international pressure and economic realities force a reconsideration? The world watches closely.
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