Ghana reintroduces strict anti-LGBTQ bill in parliament

 

Ghana’s lawmakers have revived a strict anti-LGBTQ bill, increasing penalties despite concerns over economic repercussions

Key points:

Ghana reintroduces anti-LGBTQ bill increasing jail terms

Lawmakers push forward despite economic sanction risks

• President Mahama’s stance on the bill remains unclear

GHANAIAN lawmakers have revived a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, seeking to impose harsher penalties on same-sex relationships and those who advocate for LGBTQ rights. The bill, which previously stalled due to legal challenges, was reintroduced on February 25 by ten parliamentarians, including ruling party lawmakers Samuel Nartey George and Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, along with opposition lawmaker John Ntim Fordjour, Reuters reported.

Tougher penalties and criminalisation of LGBTQ advocacy

Currently, Ghanaian law punishes same-sex sexual activity with up to three years in prison. The new bill seeks to increase this to five years while also criminalising the ‘wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities.’ If enacted, it would become one of Africa’s most restrictive anti-LGBTQ laws.

The bill had previously passed in parliament in February 2024, but then-President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign it before leaving office. Now, under President John Dramani Mahama, its future remains uncertain, as Mahama has indicated a preference for a government-sponsored law rather than one led by parliamentarians.

Backlash and economic concerns

The bill has sparked strong opposition from human rights groups and LGBTQ activists. Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi, a Ghanaian transgender woman and LGBTQ advocate, told Reuters that the reintroduction of the legislation was ‘disheartening and hard to process’ but vowed that pro-LGBTQ activism would continue despite the legal threats.

Beyond human rights concerns, the bill also raises economic risks. Ghana’s finance ministry has previously warned that passing the legislation could jeopardise $3.8 billion in World Bank financing and derail a $3bn loan package from the IMF.

Despite this, lawmaker John Ntim Fordjour dismissed concerns over economic fallout, arguing that global politics now favour conservative policies. ‘The global political climate is favourable for conservative values, as demonstrated in the bold conservative pronouncements of [US] President Donald Trump,’ he told Reuters.

What’s next for the bill?

While the bill has been reintroduced, its passage remains uncertain. Any legislation approved by parliament must be signed by the president to become law. Given Mahama’s preference for a government-led approach, it is unclear whether he will endorse, amend, or reject the proposed law.

With Ghana facing economic challenges and international scrutiny, the bill’s future could depend on how the government balances domestic political pressure with the risk of financial repercussions from global institutions.