The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill has been formally reintroduced in Parliament, marking a renewed push by lawmakers to pass the legislation after it lapsed at the end of the previous parliamentary session.
The Bill, officially known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and restrict advocacy, education, and funding related to homosexuality.
It was previously passed by the 8th Parliament but failed to receive presidential assent before the dissolution of the House. With its reintroduction, lawmakers have restarted the legislative process, including debates, committee reviews, and stakeholder consultations.
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Explaining the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill on the floor of the House on Tuesday, one of the main sponsors, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, outlined the legislation’s key objectives.
He explained that the bill seeks to remove ambiguity in the definition of gender and reinforce traditional family values in Ghanaian society.
“The bill seeks to ensure that the definition of gender is not in ambiguity, especially as is now being authorised in textbooks and teacher manuals,” he said.
He added that the legislation affirms gender as male and female, as assigned at birth, in line with Ghana’s Constitution and societal values.
“It reinforces the nature of gender as between male and female and protects marriage as contracted between a man and a woman,” Rev. Fordjour stated.
According to him, the bill is aimed at safeguarding the family system and promoting social stability.
Rev. Fordjour emphasised that the legislation is a bipartisan private member’s bill and enjoys support across party lines.
“This is a bipartisan private member’s bill, and it must be placed on record,” he noted.
He urged Parliament to treat the bill with urgency and fast-track its passage.
“We expect that this House and all relevant committees will attach urgency to this bill and pass it before the House rises. It is an old bill which has gone through all the processes and has survived a plethora of legal and dissenting opinions,” he added.
He also disclosed that aspects of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill had previously been subjected to judicial review.
“It has gone to the Supreme Court, and it was held that no aspect of this bill is inconsistent with our Constitution,” he told Parliament.
He maintained that this legal clearance strengthens the case for its passage.