Ghana parliament approves law criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities
Ghana's parliament has passed legislation that criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy. The bill is now awaiting the president's signature. (sources: bbc, ap, dw, france24)

The legislation imposes penalties for promoting LGBTQ+ activities and includes prison terms for same-sex acts. This law is considered one of the most restrictive anti-LGBTQ+ measures in Africa.
- The law targets individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, or transgender.
- Prison terms are established for those who promote LGBTQ+ activities.
- The bill has passed through parliament and is pending presidential approval.
Why it matters
The law reflects ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ rights and societal attitudes in Ghana and the broader region.
↓ Congress can act on this
5 bills on this issue are moving right now — and the most active one is HR6151: Global Respect Act.
HR6151 · 119th Congress
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What HR6151 actually does
This story is about Ghana parliament approves law criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities. This bill would Creates an explicit U.S. sanctions/visa-ineligibility framework tied to severe abuses targeting LGBTQI people—tools Congress would press to ap.
If passed, it would:
- Require identifying foreign persons responsible for certain LGBTQI-related human-rights abuses and bar their entry to • Add/standardize U.S. government reporting on criminalization/violence tied to sexual orientation/gender identity.
4 other bills moving on this issue
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This story is about Ghana parliament approves law criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities. This bill would Senate companion vehicle focused on targeted consequences (sanctions/visa bans and reporting) for anti-LGBTQI human-rights abuses—directly r.
If passed, it would
- Put Senate backing behind a recurring process to identify foreign persons responsible for covered LGBTQI-related abuses • Standardize tracking/reporting of criminalization and violence tied to sexual orientation/gender identity abroad.
This story is about Ghana parliament approves law criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities. This bill would ghana: Establish/codify a State Department Special Envoy role to coordinate U.S. foreign policy/assistance on LGBTQI human rights.
If passed, it would
- Establish/codify a State Department Special Envoy role to coordinate U.S • Lock in more systematic U.S. reporting/strategy around criminalization and repression of LGBTQI people and advocacy.
This story is about Ghana parliament approves law criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities. This bill would House companion that would hardwire U.S. diplomatic capacity (Special Envoy + required briefings/assessments) aimed at responding to global.
If passed, it would
- Codify a State Department Special Envoy and require recurring briefings/assessments to Congress on LGBTQI human rights • Support more consistent U.S. government programming/coordination to counter criminalization and violence against.
This story is about Ghana parliament approves law criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities. This bill would ghana: Require an annual State/USAID strategic review focused on decriminalization obstacles and strategies abroad.
If passed, it would
- Require an annual State/USAID strategic review focused on decriminalization obstacles and strategies abroad • Create sanctions authorities aimed at individuals responsible for violations of human rights against LGBTQI people.
