Akahi News reports that Ghana’s parliament on Friday approved a new bill that criminalises the promotion of LGBTQ activity in the country. Akahi News gathered that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was passed by a voice vote after the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously recommended its adoption, according to first deputy speaker Bernard Ahiafor.

The bill was introduced last year shortly after President John Dramani Mahama took office. Lawmakers from Mahama’s political party, the National Democratic Congress, had been urged by religious leaders and other supporters to vote on the legislation. Now, all eyes turn to President Mahama, who will face intense pressure to sign the bill into law. But will he? That is the question gripping Ghana’s political and religious landscape.

What the New Bill Contains: Prison Terms and Reporting Duties

The bill approved on Friday maintains the existing penalty of up to three years in prison for same-sex sexual acts. That is not new. What is new, however, is the expansion of the law to cover promotion, funding, and sponsorship. Akahi News learnt that anyone found guilty of “funding, sponsorship or promotion” of LGBTQ acts now faces prison terms ranging from three to five years.

Perhaps most controversially, the bill introduces a “duty to report” prohibited LGBTQ acts to a police officer or other authorities. Violators of this reporting duty face up to three years behind bars. That means if a person knows about an LGBTQ act and fails to report it, they could be criminally liable. Akahi News had earlier reported that similar provisions in other countries have raised concerns about privacy, family cohesion, and the potential for false accusations.

The bill further amends Ghana’s Extradition Act of 1960 to make offences under the new law extraditable offences. That means someone who commits these acts in Ghana and flees to another country could potentially be brought back to face trial. It is a significant legal move with international implications.

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The Road to Passage: A Bill That Survived Legal Challenges

This is not the first time Ghana has attempted to pass such legislation. Parliament passed an earlier version of the bill in 2024 under Mahama’s predecessor, President Nana Akufo-Addo. However, that version faced legal challenges, and Akufo-Addo never signed it into law. Akahi News gathered that the bill died on his desk, much to the frustration of religious and conservative groups.

But this time, the proponents are not taking chances. The bill was reintroduced shortly after Mahama took office, and religious leaders have been actively lobbying for its passage. The unanimous recommendation by the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee gave the bill significant momentum. Friday’s voice vote was swift and decisive, leaving little room for opposition within the chamber.

Now, President Mahama finds himself in a difficult position. He faces pressure from religious leaders and conservative voters who see the bill as a defence of Ghanaian family values. But he also faces pressure from international donors, human rights organisations, and Western governments who view the bill as a violation of fundamental rights. How he navigates this tension will define his presidency.

Existing Penalty: Three Years for Same-Sex Acts

It is important to note that same-sex sexual acts were already illegal in Ghana. The existing penalty of up to three years in prison remains unchanged. Akahi News learnt that what the new bill does is expand the scope of criminal liability beyond the act itself. Now, promoting LGBTQ activities, funding LGBTQ organisations, or even failing to report an LGBTQ act can land a person in prison.

Critics of the bill argue that the “duty to report” provision is particularly dangerous. It effectively turns every Ghanaian citizen into a monitor of their neighbours’ private lives. Family members could be forced to report on each other. Friends could betray friends. Pastors could be legally obligated to report what they hear in confession — a direct conflict with religious practice.

Supporters, however, argue that the bill is necessary to protect Ghanaian culture and family values from foreign influence. They point to the growing acceptance of LGBTQ rights in Western countries as a warning of what could happen if Ghana does not act decisively. For them, this bill is not about hate. It is about preserving a way of life.

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What This Means for Ghana’s International Relations

The passage of this bill is likely to strain Ghana’s relationships with Western nations. The United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries have often condemned similar legislation in Uganda and other African nations. Akahi News gathered that Ghana has historically enjoyed a relatively positive human rights record compared to some of its neighbours. That reputation may now be at risk.

Financial aid, trade agreements, and diplomatic support could all be affected if the bill is signed into law. Some Western donors have already threatened to cut or redirect funding to countries that adopt anti-LGBTQ legislation. Ghana’s government will have to weigh the cost of losing international goodwill against the political benefits of satisfying domestic conservative constituencies.

President Mahama has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill. His office has remained silent since the parliamentary vote. Akahi News believes that the coming weeks will be critical. If Mahama signs, he will face international condemnation. If he refuses to sign, he will face backlash from religious leaders and his own party’s conservative wing. There is no easy path.

A Divided Continent: Africa’s Ongoing Debate

Ghana is not alone in this debate. Across Africa, countries have taken different approaches to LGBTQ rights. South Africa stands out as the only African nation to legalise same-sex marriage. Other countries, like Uganda and Nigeria, have enacted harsh anti-LGBTQ laws. Akahi News had earlier reported on Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which criminalises same-sex unions and public displays of same-sex relationships.

Ghana’s new bill goes even further in some respects, particularly with the “duty to report” provision. That is a level of surveillance that even Nigeria’s laws do not impose. If signed into law, Ghana could become one of the most restrictive countries in the world when it comes to LGBTQ expression and advocacy.

One cannot help but ask: where is the line between cultural preservation and human rights? That is not a question with an easy answer. But it is a question that Ghanaians — and indeed all Africans — must grapple with. The passage of this bill does not end the debate. It intensifies it.

What Happens Next

President Mahama now has the bill on his desk. He can sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature after a certain period. Akahi News gathered that religious leaders are already organising to pressure him to sign quickly. Human rights groups are preparing legal challenges should the bill become law.

The international community is watching. The United Nations, human rights organisations, and foreign governments have all expressed concern. Some have already issued statements urging President Mahama to reject the bill. Others have threatened economic consequences. The pressure is mounting from both sides.

For now, Ghana waits. The bill has passed parliament. The ball is in the president’s court. What he does next will determine not only the fate of LGBTQ Ghanaians but also Ghana’s standing in the global community. Akahi News will continue to follow this story as it develops. For the people of Ghana, the debate is far from over. For many, the fear has already begun.