Parliament passes anti-LGBTQ Bill with exemptions for lawyers, journalists and health workers

Lawyers, journalists and health professionals have been carved out of sanctions under the amended Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament on Friday, May 29, 2026.

The legislation, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ Bill, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ-related activities in Ghana, including promotion, advocacy and funding.

The latest amendments mean a lawyer will not be punished for advising or representing a person identified as LGBTQ.

Media practitioners and organisations will also be protected when reporting on LGBTQ-related matters as part of their professional duties.

Health workers, including doctors, counsellors, psychologists and other medical professionals, are equally exempt where they provide medical or psychological care.

The bill has remained one of Ghana’s most polarising legislative proposals, drawing strong backing from its supporters and criticism from rights advocates.

Those in favour say it is needed to reinforce Ghana’s existing law on same-sex relations and close perceived gaps around advocacy and public campaigns.

Before the bill, same-sex sexual relations were already criminalised under Section 104 of the Criminal Offences Act, which refers to “unnatural carnal knowledge”.

But proponents argued that the old law did not go far enough in addressing activism, public promotion and financial support linked to LGBTQ causes.

The bill first came before Parliament in 2021 as a private member’s bill led by Ningo-Prampram MP Samuel Nartey George and other bipartisan sponsors.

It was reintroduced in 2025 by Mr George and Assin South MP John Ntim Fordjour.

Other sponsors include Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Nurideen Muhammed Mummuni, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Tiah Abdul Kabiru Mahama and Anthony Mmieh.