Accra, Ghana — In a bold stand for traditional values that's sure to trigger global elites, Ghana's parliament overwhelmingly approved a sweeping new law Thursday that criminalizes identifying as LGBTQ+ and throws the book at anyone promoting or funding the lifestyle.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025 sailed through on a voice vote after hours of fiery debate, slapping up to three years in prison on anyone caught "identifying" as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Promotion, advocacy, funding, or even sponsorship of LGBTQ activities could land offenders behind bars for three to 10 years.
Lawmakers didn't mince words. Bill sponsor Reverend John Ntim Fordjour hailed the measure as a bulwark protecting Ghana's Christian family values and cultural heritage from Western "woke" imports. Supporters cheered it as a win for sovereignty in a nation where same-sex acts were already taboo under colonial-era laws.
The bill now heads to President John Dramani Mahama, who has repeatedly signaled he'll sign it, consistent with campaign promises and his public stance that marriage is between a man and a woman, with only two genders. Religious leaders and conservative MPs have been hounding him to make good on that vow.
Footage from the chaotic session in Accra showed packed chambers and impassioned speeches as the legislation, reintroduced after earlier versions lapsed, finally cleared its final hurdles.
Ghana joins a growing list of African nations drawing a hard line against rapid Western-style social changes. Same-sex relations were already illegal, but this ramps it up with mandatory reporting requirements and penalties for allies.
