Ghana’s Parliament has resumed consideration of the controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, reviving a debate that has divided public opinion for nearly five years.
The proposed law, which was reintroduced for a second reading on Thursday, seeks to criminalize same-sex relations, LGBTQ advocacy, funding and related activities.
First introduced in 2021 by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sam George, the bill has undergone multiple parliamentary stages, including committee reviews, public hearings and extensive consultations with religious groups, traditional leaders, civil society organizations and legal experts.
The legislation was passed by Parliament in February 2024 but failed to receive presidential assent from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo due to pending constitutional challenges before the Supreme Court.
It later expired following the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the 2024 general elections.
In the current Ninth Parliament, the bill was reintroduced as a private member’s bill and cleared procedurally by Alban Bagbin.
Its return is expected to reignite national debate, with religious and conservative groups pushing for its passage while human rights advocates and some civil society organizations continue to criticize the proposal as discriminatory and inconsistent with constitutional freedoms.
