:Ghanaian anti-LGBTQ bill

{{Main|LGBTQ rights in Ghana}}

Homosexuality in Ghana was first criminalised under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, a law introduced during British rule. The Act was implemented in all British colonies.{{Cite journal|last=Atuguba|first=Raymond A.|date=2019|title=Homosexuality in Ghana: Morality, Law, Human Rights|url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/jpola12&id=555&div=&collection=|journal=Journal of Politics and Law|volume=12|issue=4|pages=113|doi=10.5539/jpl.v12n4p113|s2cid=213112602|doi-access=free}} Following independence, Section 104 of the Ghanaian Criminal Code of 1960 criminalised "unnatural carnal knowledge."{{Cite web|url=https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2021/08/dheeraj-diwakar-human-sexual-rights-bill-ghana-lgbtq-illegal/|title=Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill Makes LGBTQ+ Community Illegal|website=www.jurist.org|date=23 August 2021 }}

The long title of the draft law is "A Bill to provide for human sexual rights and family values and related matters."{{cite web |year=2021 |url=https://76crimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ghanas-Anti-LGBTQ-Private-Members-Bill.docx |format=DOCX |title=Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill |website=76Crimes |access-date=January 5, 2024}}

Among the provisions of the most recent version{{when|date=October 2023}} of the bill are:

• Up to 3 years of imprisonment for engaging in same-sex intercourse;
• 6 to 10 years of imprisonment for anyone who produces, procures, or distributes material deemed to be promoting LGBT+ activities;
• A requirement for citizens and institutions to "promote and protect proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values";
• 6 months to 1 year imprisonment for a "public show of romantic relations" between people of the same sex;
• 6 months to 1 year imprisonment for a "public show of romantic relations " with someone who has undergone gender reassignment or who cross-dresses;
• A ban on providing trans healthcare;
• Forced disbanding of all LGBT+ associations in Ghana, along with 6 to 10 years of imprisonment for anyone taking part in such an association;
• A ban on sponsoring LGBT+ groups;
• A clause that holds owners of digital platforms or physical premises in which LGBT+ groups organise equally guilty of promoting LGBT+ activities;
• Prohibition of same-sex marriage;
• Prohibition of marriage to people who have undergone gender reassignment;
• 6 to 10 years of imprisonment for anyone who teaches children about LGBT+ activities or teaches that there are more genders than the gender binary;
• A ban on adoption and fostering for LGBT+ potential parents;
• 6 months to 3 years imprisonment for anyone who harasses someone accused of being LGBT+;
• A clause allowing the government to extradite people convicted under the bill.{{Cite web |date=26 July 2021 |title=10 key things Ghana's anti-LGBTQI+ bill is proposing |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/07/10-key-things-ghanas-anti-lgbtqi-bill-is-proposing/}}{{Cite web |date=23 July 2021 |title=Ghana: anti-gay bill proposing 10-year prison sentences sparks outrage |url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jul/23/ghana-anti-gay-bill-proposing-10-year-prison-sentences-sparks-outrage |website=the Guardian}}

In mid-June 2021, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana Alban Bagbin stated that LGBT+ rights "should not be encouraged or accepted by our society" and that "urgent actions are being taken to pass a law to eventually nip the activities of [LGBT+] groups in the bud."{{Cite web |date=25 June 2021 |title=A law to be passed to stop activities of LGBTQ+ – Bagbin |url=https://theindependentghana.com/2021/06/a-law-to-be-passed-to-stop-activities-of-lgbtq-bagbin/ |access-date=10 December 2021 |archive-date=10 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210210415/https://theindependentghana.com/2021/06/a-law-to-be-passed-to-stop-activities-of-lgbtq-bagbin/ |url-status=dead }} Later that month, eight MPs in the Parliament proposed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021.{{Cite web |date=30 June 2021 |title=Anti-gay bill reaches Ghana parliament, boosted by speaker |url=https://76crimes.com/2021/06/30/anti-gay-bill-reaches-ghana-parliament-boosted-by-speaker/ |website=Erasing 76 Crimes}} The eight MPs were Sam Nartey George, Della Sowah, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Alhassan Suhuyini, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Helen Ntoso, and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, all of the National Democratic Congress, as well as John Ntim Fordjour of the New Patriotic Party. On 1 July, Alban Bagbin stated that he expected the law to be passed within six months, telling a prayer meeting of Ghanaian MPs that "the LGBT+ pandemic is worse than COVID-19."{{Cite web |date=1 July 2021 |title=Ghana's speaker of parliament says the 'LGBT+ pandemic is worse than COVID-19' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/07/01/ghana-alban-bagbin-lgbt-covid-19/}}

On 2 August 2021, the bill passed its first reading in the Ghanaian Parliament, being referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/lgbtqi-bill-laid-in-parliament.html|title=LGBTQI+ Bill laid in Parliament|website=Graphic Online|date=3 August 2021 }}

On 13 October 2021, the majority leader in Parliament Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said that the Parliament would ensure "careful balance" in assessing the bill.

On 5 November 2021, deputy majority leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin announced that the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee would begin hearing petitions in a week, estimating that "we are looking at 15 weeks for the hearings to be done."{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/parliamentary-committee-handling-anti-lgbtqi-bill-to-commence-sitting-next-week.html|title=Parliamentary committee handling anti LGBTQI+ Bill to commence sitting next week|website=Graphic Online|date=5 November 2021 }}

On 12 November 2021, public hearings began on the bill in the Parliament of Ghana.{{Cite news |date=12 November 2021 |title=Supporters and opponents face off over Ghana's anti-LGBT law |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghana-parliament-begins-public-hearings-anti-lgbt-law-2021-11-11/ |via=www.reuters.com}} On the first day of hearings, Henry Kwasi Prempeh of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development spoke against the bill, saying that "merely because you see yourself as part of a momentary majority, does not entitle you to impose your will on even one individual in the society." Kyeremeh Atuahene of the Ghana AIDS Commission said that the bill risked criminalising anti-HIV/AIDS efforts in the country, and also pushing back against donor funding.{{Cite web |date=12 November 2021 |title=Ghana begins debating violently anti-LGBT+ bill that could criminalise HIV fight |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/11/12/ghana-begins-debating-violent-dehumanising-anti-lgbt-bill-in-spite-of-global-condemnation/}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-15 |title=AIDS Commission worried anti-LGBTQ law could cause withdrawal of donor support |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/11/aids-commission-worried-anti-lgbtq-law-could-cause-withdrawal-of-donor-support/ |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}

On 30 November 2021, Akwasi Osei of the Mental Health Authority Ghana spoke in support of the bill, saying that homosexuality was abnormal and that a majority of LGBT+ people in Ghana claimed to be queer because of peer pressure.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/homosexuality-is-a-mental-disorder-not-biological-prof-akwasi-osei.html|title=Homosexuality is a mental disorder, not biological – Prof Akwasi Osei|website=Graphic Online|date=30 November 2021 }} That day, Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice of Ghana Joseph Whittal told the Parliament to "be careful on the bill." saying that Commission was neither for nor against the bill but that the bill risked putting advocates for human rights in danger of criminal prosecution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/chraj-entreats-parliament-to-tread-carefully-on-lgbtqi.html|title=CHRAJ entreats Parliament to tread carefully on LGBTQI+|website=Graphic Online|date=30 November 2021 }}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-30 |title=CHRAJ urges caution in passing anti-LGBTQI+ bill |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/11/chraj-urges-caution-in-passing-anti-lgbtqi-bill/ |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}

On 6 December 2021, Moses Foh-Amoaning of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values spoke in support of the bill, saying LGBT+ people were "not well, and the law gives [health authorities] the power to restrain such people."{{Cite web |date=7 December 2021 |title=LGBT+ Ghanaians should be forced into conversion therapy, bigot tells MPs |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/12/07/ghana-lgbt-law-moses-foh-amoaning/}}

On 5 July 2023, the Parliament of Ghana unanimously voted to grant the Bill a second reading, and agreed to minor amendments proposed by the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.{{Cite web |title=All 275 MPs consent to passage of anti-LGBTQ Bill |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/all-275-mps-consent-to-passage-of-anti-lgbtq-bill |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |date=5 July 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Anti-LGBTQ bill laid for the second time in Parliament but Speaker hints at hurdle |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/anti-lgbtq-bill-laid-for-the-second-time-in-parliament-but-speaker-hints-at-hurdle |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |date=5 July 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Anti-LGBTQ bill: Full Committee report recommending passage of bill |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/anti-lgbtq-bill-full-committee-report-recommending-bills-passage |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |date=5 July 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-05 |title=Anti-LGBTQ bill reflects desires of Ghanaians – Ntim Fordjour |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2023/07/anti-lgbtq-bill-reflects-desires-of-ghanaians-ntim-fordjour/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}

On 28 February 2024, the Parliament voted unanimously to pass the law. The version that passed included shorter jail terms than an earlier version and a clause on conversion therapy was omitted. An attempt by Alexander Afenyo-Markin to amend the law to replace prison sentences with counselling and community service was heckled down by lawmakers. The bill will come into effect if President Nana Akufo-Addo signs it into law.{{cite news |last1=Naadi |first1=Thomas |title=Ghana passes bill making identifying as LGBTQ+ illegal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68353437 |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ bill |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/28/ghanas-parliament-passes-anti-lgbtq-bill |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-02-28 |title=Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill that could imprison people for years |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/28/1234713001/ghana-anti-lgbtq-bill-prison |work=NPR |language=en}}

On 29 April 2024, a High Court in Accra dismissed a call to push President Nana Akufo-Addo to assent to the bill passed by parliament. Akufo-Addo had mentioned he would wait for the verdict of two Supreme Court cases challenging the constitutionality of the bill before making a decision.{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2024-04-29 |title=Ghana's high court dismisses bid to speed up anti-LGBTQ law passage |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/04/29/ghanas-high-court-dismisses-bid-to-speed-up-anti-lgbtq-law-passage/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Africanews |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Agbenorsi |first=Justice |date=29 April 2024 |title=Court throws out application to compel Bagbin, President Akufo-Addo to act on Anti-LGBT bill |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/court-throws-out-application-to-compel-bagbin-president-akufo-addo-to-act-on-anti-lgbt-bill.html |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=Graphic Online}}

On 8 May 2024, the Supreme Court of Ghana began proceedings for the case filed by a Ghanaian journalist, Richard Sky, against the bill.{{Cite news |title=Ghana's top court postpones hearing on challenge to anti-LGBTQ bill |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghanas-top-court-postpones-hearing-challenge-anti-lgbtq-bill-2024-05-08/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240530204224/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghanas-top-court-postpones-hearing-challenge-anti-lgbtq-bill-2024-05-08/ |archive-date=2024-05-30 |access-date=2025-03-06 |work=Reuters |date=9 May 2024}} Presided by the Chief Justice, the proceedings ended with the lawyers of the journalist asked to submit a fresh motion to amend their reliefs. The case adjourned to 17 May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Agbenorsi |first=Justice |date=8 May 2024 |title=Anti-LGBTQI Bill: Supreme Court grants Richard Sky's request to file new motion |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/anti-lgbtqi-bill-supreme-court-grants-richard-skys-request-to-file-new-motion.html |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=Graphic Online}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Anti-Gay bill: Supreme Court grants Richard Sky's request to amend suit - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/anti-gay-bill-suit-supreme-court-grants-richard-skys-request-to-amend-application/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Supreme Court adjourn anti-LGBTQ bill case indefinitely – how live broadcast from court go take affect di case? |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cmj6re4e5rvo |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Ghana court hears challenge to contested anti-LGBTQ law |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ghana-court-hears-challenge-to-contested-anti-lgbtq-law-/7602807.html |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}

A separate challenge was filed by the lawyer Amanda Odoi.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-18 |title=Ghana Supreme Court rejects legal challenges to anti-LGBT bill |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/18/africa/ghana-supreme-court-anti-lgbt-bill-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=CNN |language=en |agency=Reuters}}

On December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed both cases.

Ghanaian human rights NGO Rightify Ghana called the bill "an attack on our fundamental human rights" stating that it would "steal our freedoms of speech and expression, right to privacy, freedoms of association and assembly, as well as rights to healthcare, employment, housing and others." The Humanist Association of Ghana called the bill an attempt "to further oppress the LGBTQI+ community as well as allies," stating that Ghana's international reputation "has taken a big hit."{{Cite web |date=3 August 2021 |title=Ghana's 'hate-filled' anti-LGBT+ bill bears signature of America's religious right, activists warn |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/08/03/ghana-lgbt-bill/}} Journalist Nana Ama Agyemang Asante said that she was "stunned by the contents, the crudeness of the language, and the cruelty behind [the bill]."{{Cite web |date=28 July 2021 |title=Ghana bill criminalising LGBT+ people, allies and advocates is 'a homophobe's dream' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/lgbt-homophobia-law-ghana-africa-b1891511.html |website=The Independent}} On 4 October, 17 prominent Ghanaians co-signed a statement against the bill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/akoto-ampaw-atuguba-karikari-et-al-kick-against-lgbtqi-bill-in-parliament.html|title=Akoto Ampaw, Atuguba, Karikari, 15 others kick against LGBTQI Bill in Parliament|website=Graphic Online|date=4 October 2021 }}

On 24 October 2021, Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo called for civil discussion on the bill, stating that "we will recognise the need for us to be tolerant of each other when there are opposing views. I think it will be a credit to Ghananian democracy if this matter is handled in the correct manner."{{Cite web |date=24 October 2021 |title=Ghana president calls for 'tolerance' as anti-LGBT+ bill gains steam |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/10/24/ghana-pesident-nana-akufo-addo-lgbt/}} On 28 October, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, chairman of the National Media Commission, stated that "sometimes sentiments are more than rationalism in the way that the debate goes" in reference to the bill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/sentiments-instead-of-rationalism-has-taken-over-lgbtqi-debate-in-ghana-boadu-ayeboafoh.html|title=Sentiments instead of rationalism taking over LGBTQI+ debate in Ghana – Boadu-Ayeboafoh|website=Graphic Online|date=28 October 2021 }}

Among Ghanaian political parties, the New Patriotic Party,{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-npp-opposes-lgbtqi-john-boadu.html|title=NPP opposes LGBTQI+ - John Boadu|website=Graphic Online|date=19 October 2021 }} the People's National Convention,{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-pnc-endorses-anti-lgbtqi-bill.html|title=PNC endorses anti-LGBTQI+ bill|website=Graphic Online|date=14 October 2021 }} the National Democratic Congress, the Convention People's Party, the National Democratic Party, and the All People's Congress announced support for bill. The Liberal Party of Ghana announced opposition to the bill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-4-parties-support-lgbtqi-bill-one-opposes-draft-law.html|title=4 Parties support LGBTQI+ Bill - one opposes draft law|website=Graphic Online|date=12 October 2021 }}

Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II, President of Bono Regional House of Chiefs, stated that "chiefs in this country are strongly behind [the bill]" and threatened to "storm parliament with 10 000 people" if the bill was not passed.{{Cite web |date=13 October 2021 |title=Ghanaian chief threatens to storm parliament with 10,000 homophobes |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/10/13/ghana-anti-lgbt-bill-chief-osagyefo-agyeman-badu-ii/}}

Bishop of Asante Mampong and Archbishop for the Church of the Province of West Africa Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith said that the Anglican Church in Ghana would "do anything within our powers and mandate to ensure that the bill comes into fruition" and that the church considered "LGBT+ as unrighteousness in the sight of God."{{Cite web |date=26 October 2021 |title=UK church leaders criticise Ghanaian bishops for support of anti-LGBTQ+ law |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/26/ghanaian-bishops-anti-lgbtq-law-uk-church-leaders |website=the Guardian}}

On 5 October 2021, the Christian Council of Ghana and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council released a joint statement supporting the bill, saying that being LGBT+ was "alien to the Ghanaian culture and family value system, and as such, the citizens of this nation cannot accept it."{{Cite web |date=24 January 2020 |title=CCG And GPCC 2021 Joint Communique : Full Text |url=http://christiancouncilofghana.org/NewsPages/CCG-And-GPCC-2021-Joint-Communique-Full-Text.php |website=christiancouncilofghana.org}} Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, spokesperson for the Chief Imam of Ghana, said that "this is the time to make the laws more stringent because of the force with which those activities are being promoted in our country" and saying that MPs supporting the bill "must never give up."{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/don-t-bow-to-pressure-over-anti-lgbtq-bill-office-of-chief-imam-urges-mps.html|title=Don't bow to pressure over Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill- Office of Chief Imam urges MPs|website=Graphic Online|date=5 November 2021 }} The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and the Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana also announced support for the bill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/more-throw-support-behind-anti-lgbtqi-bill.html|title=More throw support behind anti-LGBTQI+ bill|website=Graphic Online|date=8 October 2021 }}

In June 2022, after reactions by proponents of the bill, billboards in Accra and Tamale were pulled down for illegally promoting LGBTQ activities.{{Cite web |title=LGBTQ Tolerance Billboards Destroyed in Ghana |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/lgbtq-tolerance-billboards-destroyed-in-ghana-/6621955.html |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=VOA |date=17 June 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-09 |title=LGBTQI billboard on Tema motorway pulled down after Sam George's threats |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2022/06/lgbtqi-billboard-on-tema-motorway-pulled-down-after-sam-georges-threats/ |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}} Sam George, one of the proponents of the bill, called the erection of the billboards an action against the constitution of Ghana.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-09 |title=Sam George, others charge IGP over LGBTQ+ billboard on Tema Motorway |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Sam-George-others-charge-IGP-over-LGBTQ-billboard-on-Tema-Motorway-1557005 |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en |archive-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728173306/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Sam-George-others-charge-IGP-over-LGBTQ-billboard-on-Tema-Motorway-1557005 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Pull down LGBTQI billboard - MPs to Police |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-pull-down-lgbt-billboards-anti-gay-mps-charges-igp.html |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=Graphic Online |date=9 June 2022 |language=en-gb}}

On 12 December 2023 the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference reiterated its support for the bill, calling it "a step in the right direction".{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Catholic Bishops throw weight behind Ghana's anti-gay bill |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Catholic-Bishops-throw-weight-behind-Ghana-s-anti-gay-bill-1897067 |access-date= |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}

Ghana's finance ministry headed by Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Bank of Ghana (BOG) and the Ghana Revenue Authority{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Finance ministry gives a breakdown of how the anti-gay bill will hit Ghana's economy if passed |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Finance-ministry-gives-a-breakdown-of-how-the-anti-gay-bill-will-hit-Ghana-s-economy-if-passed-1919881 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}} has cautioned the president against endorsing a contentious anti-LGBT bill recently approved by parliament. The ministry has highlighted the potential risk, estimating that the country will forfeit a substantial $3.8 billion (£3 billion) in World Bank funding within the upcoming five to six years if the bill becomes law. The proposed legislation mandates a three-year prison sentence for individuals identifying as LGBT+ and a five-year imprisonment for those involved in promoting LGBT+ activities.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-04 |title=Ghana's finance ministry urges president not to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68469613 |access-date=2024-03-12 |language=en-GB}}

Ghana is currently grappling with a significant economic downturn and received assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) just last year. There are apprehensions that any deficiency in funding from the World Bank and other donors could disrupt the ongoing economic recovery efforts.

Samia Yaba Nkrumah, the former Member of Parliament for Jomoro, has urged President Akufo-Addo to refrain from giving assent to the Bill. She characterized the bill as a brutal, harsh, and unjust piece of legislation.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-08 |title=Don't assent to brutal, unjust anti-gay bill – Samia Nkrumah to Akufo-Addo |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2024/03/dont-assent-to-brutal-unjust-anti-gay-bill-samia-nkrumah-to-akufo-addo/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}

On 12 March 2024, John Dramani Mahama, at the time opposition leader and former President (but since January 2025, the serving President once more), alleged that Akufo-Addo delayed signing the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill over foreign aid dependency.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=Mahama accuses Akufo-Addo of delaying Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill signing due to dependency on foreign aid |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/mahama-accuses-akufo-addo-of-delaying-anti-lgbtq-bill-signing-due-to-dependency-on-foreign-aid/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}

In August 2024, Ghana’s previous vice president Mahamudu Bawumia said that he would sign the bill into law if he became president, if the Supreme Court decided that the bill was “consistent with the Constitution.” Mahamdu sought to become Ghana’s president in the 2024 Ghanaian general election.{{Cite news |last=Dontoh |first=Ekow |date=25 August 2024 |title=Ghana Vice President Says He'd Sign Anti-LGBTQ Bill Into Law |url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/ghana-vice-president-says-hed-sign-anti-lgbtq-bill-into-law |work=Financial Post |pages=1–3}} The bill was protested in Ghana's capital city in September 2024.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-13 |title=Meet the straight ally who is protesting Ghana's anti-LGBTQ bill |url=https://apnews.com/article/ghana-lgbtq-march-gay-rights-law-accra-30b15f54f68f803945d109c7f55e083b |publisher=Associated Press}}

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that "adopting the legislation in its current or any partial form would be tantamount to a violation of a number of human rights standards, including the absolute prohibition of torture."{{Cite web|url=https://ghana.un.org/index.php/en/139914-draft-bill-proper-sexual-rights-and-ghanaian-family-values-bill-2021-analysis-un-independent,%20https://ghana.un.org/index.php/en/139914-draft-bill-proper-sexual-rights-and-ghanaian-family-values-bill-2021-analysis-un-independent|title=Draft bill on "Proper Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021" - An analysis by UN Independent Human Rights Experts | United Nations in Ghana|website=ghana.un.org}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Human Rights Watch LGBT+ director Graeme Reid said the bill was "so onerous it beggars belief" and that it "represents a witch-hunt against LGBT people in Ghana."{{Cite web |date=10 August 2021 |title=Homophobic Ghanaian 'Family Values' Bill is Odious and Beggars Belief |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/08/10/homophobic-ghanaian-family-values-bill-odious-and-beggars-belief}}{{Cite web |date=7 December 2021 |title=On LGBTQ+ Rights, Ghana's Bishops Choose to Ignore Pope |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/12/07/lgbtq-rights-ghanas-bishops-choose-ignore-pope}} Amnesty International called for the Ghanaian Parliament to "immediately withdraw" the bill, saying that it "gravely contravenes the principles of equality and non-discrimination, the rights to freedom of expression, association and privacy, and the prohibition of torture enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and international human rights treaties ratified by the country."{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/withdraw-anti-lgbti-bill-amnesty-international-to-ghana.html|title=Withdraw Anti-LGBTI bill - Amnesty International to Ghana|website=Graphic Online|date=7 September 2021 }}

Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town Desmond Tutu compared the bill to apartheid, saying "I'm absolutely, utterly and completely certain that God wouldn't be homophobic."{{Cite web |date=29 November 2021 |title=Archbishop Tutu speaks out against homophobia in light of new anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Ghana |url=https://gcn.ie/archbishop-tutu-against-homophobia-anti-lgbt-ghana/ |website=GCN}} Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and Bishop of London Sarah Mullally condemned the bill.{{Cite web |date=30 October 2021 |title=I'm holding Ghana's LGBTQ+ community in my prayers - Archbishop of York |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/I-m-holding-Ghana-s-LGBTQ-community-in-my-prayers-Archbishop-of-York-1391785 |website=GhanaWeb |access-date=10 December 2021 |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105052002/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/I-m-holding-Ghana-s-LGBTQ-community-in-my-prayers-Archbishop-of-York-1391785 |url-status=dead }} Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby initially said he was "gravely concerned" by the bill, however later apologised for the statement, saying that he had "no authority over the Church of Ghana, nor would I want any."{{Cite web |date=15 November 2021 |title=Archbishop of Canterbury backtracks on 'grave concerns' over Ghana anti-LGBT bill |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/11/15/archbishop-canterbury-ghana/}}

The bill has been linked by several commentators to the World Congress of Families, an American conservative Christian organisation designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-LGBTQ hate group. In 2019, the WCF had held a conference in Accra, where delegates had proposed forming legal teams to bring constitutional attacks on LGBT+ rights in Ghana.{{Cite web |last1=McKenzie |first1=David |last2=Princewill |first2=Nimi |date=8 October 2021 |title=How a US group with links to the far-right may have influenced a crackdown on Ghana's LGBTQ community |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/08/africa/ghana-lgbtq-crackdown-intl-cmd/index.html |access-date=8 October 2021 |website=CNN}}{{Cite web |date=22 November 2021 |title=Homophobia is on the rise in Ghana – here's why |url=https://www.huckmag.com/perspectives/homophobia-is-on-the-rise-in-ghana-heres-why/ |website=Huck Magazine}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/ghanas-imported-intolerance-of-lgbt-rights/|title=Ghana's imported intolerance of LGBT+ rights|website=openDemocracy}}

• 2021 Ghana gay arrests
• Hungarian anti-LGBTQ law
• Russian gay propaganda law
• {{annotated link|Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite news |last1=Akinwotu |first1=Emmanuel |title=Explainer: what makes Ghana's anti-gay bill so extreme? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/aug/03/explainer-what-makes-ghana-draft-anti-gay-lgbtq-bill-so-extreme |work=The Guardian |date=3 August 2022}}

Category:Law of Ghana

Category:Proposed laws

Category:LGBTQ in Ghana

Category:Criminalization of homosexuality

Category:Homophobia

Category:Censorship of LGBTQ issues

Category:Transphobia

Category:Discrimination against LGBTQ people in Africa

Category:2020s in LGBTQ history

Category:2020s in Ghana

Category:2020s in law