International Bar Association institute urges Ghana to reject anti-LGBTQ bill

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) on July 23 urged Ghanaian authorities not to enact a bill that expands criminal penalties for LGBTQ identity and support for LGBTQ people. Parliament in the West African country approved the measure on May 29, 2026, but as of July 31 there was no confirmed presidential assent and it remained subject to further legal and procedural review, according to an IBAHRI statement .

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill provides for up to three years in prison for a person who identifies as LGBTQ. “Promotion,” advocacy, support or funding of LGBTQ-related activities can carry sentences of up to ten years. The bill also creates a duty to report alleged violations to the police.

IBAHRI says the provisions could restrict freedom of expression, assembly and association and affect the work of lawyers, journalists, healthcare workers, educators and civil society organizations. The version passed by Parliament contains exemptions for some professionals acting within their duties, but the institute says the bill’s broader provisions could still deter LGBTQ people from seeking medical care and legal assistance.

Supporters say the proposal protects Ghana’s traditional family values and cultural norms. As the Associated Press reported , it has backing from lawmakers in both major parties and from religious groups. Critics, including human rights organizations, argue that it violates constitutional freedoms and could encourage discrimination and violence against sexual minorities.

Ghana’s Parliament approved a similar bill in 2024, but then-President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign it and it lapsed at the end of the parliamentary term. President John Dramani Mahama has previously said he would sign a new version after its proper passage, but said in June that it would still have to complete additional constitutional procedures before any assent.