Rightify Ghana

30/05/2026

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION (AHRC) STATEMENT, May 29, 2026. NAACP Congressional Black Caucus LGBTQ Nation Parliament of Ghana U.S. Embassy Ghana Rightify Ghana

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION (AHRC) STATEMENT, May 29, 2026: Condemning Ghana Parliament’s Passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025

The African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms condemns the passage by the Parliament of Ghana of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.

This legislation represents one of the most sweeping and dangerous assaults on human rights enacted by a democratic legislature in Africa in recent years. If signed into law by President John Dramani Mahama, it will not merely criminalize LGBTQI+ people, it will criminalize compassion, silence advocacy, encourage surveillance, legitimize discrimination, and place countless lives at risk.

For decades, Ghana has enjoyed a reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, a country admired for its constitutional governance, independent institutions, peaceful transfers of power, and commitment to democratic principles. The passage of this bill places that reputation in grave jeopardy.

A democracy is not measured solely by elections. It is measured by how it treats minorities, dissenting voices, and vulnerable populations. This bill strikes at the heart of those democratic values.

The law goes beyond the existing Penal Codes which criminalize "acts against nature" .. as now Ghana will be criminalizing people's identity. "Holding out" to be LGBTQI is a crime.

This law and the entire lead up to it sends a message that certain citizens are less deserving of dignity, privacy, equality, and protection simply because of who they are or who they are perceived to be.

The consequences will extend far beyond the LGBTQI+ community as the world will now see Ghana as pariah state in similar vain to how it saw Apartheid South Africa.

The new law will continue embolden and enhance the already pervasive harms suffered by LGBTQI+ Ghanaians: vigilantism, mob violence, extortion, blackmail, family rejection, workplace discrimination, arbitrary arrest, and abuse by state and non-state actors. They now create an atmosphere of fear in which neighbors are encouraged to inform on neighbors, families turn their LGBT family member over to police , civil society organizations are threatened, and fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and conscience are undermined.

This Act also places Ghana on a collision course with its international obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and numerous other human rights commitments that Ghana has voluntarily undertaken. It stands in direct contradiction to the principles of human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination that underpin modern democratic governance.

AHRC is particularly alarmed by the broader signal this legislation sends across Africa. Ghana, together with Uganda and Nigeria is now a model for state-sponsored exclusion and persecution. The bill provides political cover for anti-LGBTQI+ movements elsewhere on the continent and threatens to fuel a new wave of discrimination and hostility far beyond Ghana’s borders, that ultimately leads to violence, panic and flight by terrified communities.

We call upon President John Dramani Mahama to reject this legislation and refuse assent. The presidency now stands at a defining moment in Ghana’s democratic history. The President will now have a choice between majority popularism and his campaign promise to sign the Bill, or whether Ghana will remain committed to constitutional democracy, human dignity, and the protection of fundamental rights for all its citizens.

The timing of this legislation is particularly striking. Only a few weeks ago, President John Dramani Mahama stood before the international community at the United Nations associated with efforts advancing justice, historical accountability, and reparatory measures for the enduring harms of slavery and colonialism. Ghana is preparing to host a conference concerning slavery reparations.

Yet there is a profound irony in seeking justice for historic violations of human rights while simultaneously advancing legislation that strips a contemporary minority of fundamental rights and freedoms. It is difficult to reconcile calls for freedom and reparative justice on the global stage with the enactment of a law that institutionalizes the opposite.

Reparatory justice is ultimately rooted in a simple principle: that no group of people should be denied their freedom, humanity, dignity, or equal protection under the law. Those principles cannot be selectively applied. Ghana cannot credibly champion liberty for some while legislating the persecution of others. As Ghana positions itself as a leader in conversations about historical injustice and human liberation, the world will inevitably ask how a nation can host conferences dedicated to freedom while simultaneously taking steps to deprive some of its own citizens of theirs. The contradiction is impossible to ignore, and history will judge it accordingly.

AHRC sent and published an open letter to the members of the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus informing that their presence in Accra Ghana for the reparations conference will embolden the passage of this law. Now that the law has been passed by Parliament, we believe their presence at the conference in Accra will be a nod to President Mahama to sign the horrific anti-LGBT bill into law, thereby making them complicit in its passage. All who believe in democracy and the very purpose of the reparation conference must refute the law and insist the reparation conference be postponed and held elsewhere.

AHRC stands in solidarity with Ghana’s LGBTQI+ community, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and all Ghanaians who continue to believe that democracy is strongest when it protects everyone, equally. We also pledge our support to the LGBTQI+ Ghanaians - to continue as your ally and colleague in the fight for pathways and protection spaces, as we value your lives and your contributions to our societies, around the world.

Aluta Continua
MELANIE NATHAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION
[email protected]

NOTE:

Many individuals are attempting to leave Ghana or making contingency plans to do so, often with limited financial means, no access to visas, and few realistic pathways to safety. For many, the fear is not only of prosecution under this law, but of the emboldening effect such legislation has on family members, community actors, vigilante groups, employers, landlords, and others who may feel legitimized in targeting LGBTQI+ people long before any formal prosecution occurs.

I would also like to call on the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus in the United States to respond to African Human Rights Coalitions open letter about attending the reparation Conference in Ghana which is also happening during the month of June. Please respond. See letter here - link in article

https://oblogdee.blog/2026/05/29/african-human-rights-coalition-statement-on-the-passage-of-ghanas-anti-lgbtqi-act/

30/05/2026

Rightify Ghana Condemns Passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 (Anti-LGBTQ Bill), Urges Presidential Rejection

Rightify Ghana strongly condemns the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 by the Parliament of Ghana. The passage of this bill marks a troubling moment for human rights, constitutional freedoms, public health, and democratic governance in Ghana.

We are deeply disappointed that Parliament has chosen to advance legislation that criminalises identity, expression, association, advocacy, and support for LGBTQI+ persons instead of focusing on the urgent challenges facing Ghanaians, including unemployment, rising living costs, healthcare, education, corruption, and economic recovery. This bill does not solve any of these problems. Rather, it risks deepening stigma, discrimination, fear, and social division.

We respectfully call on President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to this bill. As President of all Ghanaians, he has a constitutional duty to protect the rights, freedoms, dignity, and wellbeing of every citizen. We urge him to carefully consider the serious human rights, public health, legal, diplomatic, and economic consequences that could arise if this bill becomes law.

We further note President John Dramani Mahama's own remarks during the Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations on March 30, 2026, where he stated that LGBTQ issues are "not the most important issue we face as a nation" and that Ghana is "still grappling with the provisions of basic needs of education, health care, jobs, food, clothing, and shelter." Rightify Ghana agrees with this assessment. At a time when millions of Ghanaians are concerned about economic hardship, unemployment, access to quality healthcare and education, and the rising cost of living, the criminalisation of LGBTQI+ persons does not address the pressing challenges confronting the nation. We therefore urge national leaders to prioritize policies that improve the lives and wellbeing of all Ghanaians rather than legislation that risks increasing fear, division, and discrimination.

We are particularly concerned that the bill may encourage increased violence, family rejection, blackmail, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and vigilante actions against LGBTQI+ persons and those perceived to be LGBTQI+. We therefore call on all Ghanaians to reject hatred and violence and to treat one another with dignity, respect, and compassion. LGBTQI+ persons are Ghanaians. They are our children, siblings, relatives, friends, classmates, colleagues, neighbours, and fellow citizens. No one should face violence, discrimination, or persecution because of who they are.

We also urge the media to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, fairness, and ethics in reporting on issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. Media platforms must not be used to spread misinformation, incitement, stereotypes, or hostility. Instead, journalists and media houses should promote informed public discourse that respects human dignity, human rights, and the principles of democratic debate.

Rightify Ghana remains committed to advancing human rights, equality, public health, and justice for all. We will continue to work with civil society, community members, allies, and partners to promote a Ghana where every person can live free from fear, violence, discrimination, and exclusion.

Issued by Rightify Ghana

30th May 2026

.3fm .7fm .5 .1fm .5fm .gh .en
GHOne TV GhanaWeb JoyNews Joy Prime TV3 Ghana The New Publisher

30/05/2026

Rightify Ghana Condemns Passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 (Anti-LGBTQ Bill), Urges Presidential Rejection

Rightify Ghana strongly condemns the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 by the Parliament of Ghana. The passage of this bill marks a troubling moment for human rights, constitutional freedoms, public health, and democratic governance in Ghana.

We are deeply disappointed that Parliament has chosen to advance legislation that criminalises identity, expression, association, advocacy, and support for LGBTQI+ persons instead of focusing on the urgent challenges facing Ghanaians, including unemployment, rising living costs, healthcare, education, corruption, and economic recovery. This bill does not solve any of these problems. Rather, it risks deepening stigma, discrimination, fear, and social division.

We respectfully call on President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to this bill. As President of all Ghanaians, he has a constitutional duty to protect the rights, freedoms, dignity, and wellbeing of every citizen. We urge him to carefully consider the serious human rights, public health, legal, diplomatic, and economic consequences that could arise if this bill becomes law.

We further note President John Dramani Mahama's own remarks during the Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations on March 30, 2026, where he stated that LGBTQ issues are "not the most important issue we face as a nation" and that Ghana is "still grappling with the provisions of basic needs of education, health care, jobs, food, clothing, and shelter." Rightify Ghana agrees with this assessment. At a time when millions of Ghanaians are concerned about economic hardship, unemployment, access to quality healthcare and education, and the rising cost of living, the criminalisation of LGBTQI+ persons does not address the pressing challenges confronting the nation. We therefore urge national leaders to prioritize policies that improve the lives and wellbeing of all Ghanaians rather than legislation that risks increasing fear, division, and discrimination.

We are particularly concerned that the bill may encourage increased violence, family rejection, blackmail, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and vigilante actions against LGBTQI+ persons and those perceived to be LGBTQI+. We therefore call on all Ghanaians to reject hatred and violence and to treat one another with dignity, respect, and compassion. LGBTQI+ persons are Ghanaians. They are our children, siblings, relatives, friends, classmates, colleagues, neighbours, and fellow citizens. No one should face violence, discrimination, or persecution because of who they are.

We also urge the media to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, fairness, and ethics in reporting on issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. Media platforms must not be used to spread misinformation, incitement, stereotypes, or hostility. Instead, journalists and media houses should promote informed public discourse that respects human dignity, human rights, and the principles of democratic debate.

Rightify Ghana remains committed to advancing human rights, equality, public health, and justice for all. We will continue to work with civil society, community members, allies, and partners to promote a Ghana where every person can live free from fear, violence, discrimination, and exclusion.

Issued by Rightify Ghana

30 May 2026

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

Ghana approves an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ bill that could jail LGBTQ+ people, allies and rights advocates in a blow for human rights in Africa.

30/05/2026

Violations of International and Regional Human Rights LawAfrican Human rights Coalition - An Open Letter to Congressional Black Caucus, Leadership of the NAACP, UNESCO : Why Ghana Is Not a Safe Host for the 2026 Reparatory Justice Conference.Ghana has announced that it will host a high-level global....

29/05/2026

Ghana’s Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ Bill as Accra Prepares to Host Continental Anti-Rights Conference

The Parliament of Ghana has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, on Friday, May 29, 2026, following parliamentary proceedings in Accra. The bill now awaits the assent or otherwise by President John Dramani Mahama.

According to information emerging from Parliament, the bill underwent several amendments before being passed during proceedings that human rights defenders and civil society observers say were expedited and concluded unusually quickly.

The legislation now awaits the assent or otherwise of President John Dramani Mahama before it can become law.

Human rights defenders believe the accelerated passage of the bill was strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty scheduled to take place in Accra from June 3–6, 2026.

The conference — widely criticised by rights advocates as an anti-rights and anti-LGBTQ gathering — is expected to bring together lawmakers, religious leaders, legal actors, and conservative advocacy organisations from across Africa to promote the proposed Draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values.

Critics argue that both the conference and the legislation form part of a broader transnational movement targeting LGBTQI+ rights, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), civic space, and democratic participation across the continent.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has drawn significant criticism from local and international human rights organisations, public health advocates, constitutional experts, and civil society groups over concerns that it threatens constitutional protections relating to equality, privacy, freedom of expression, association, and access to healthcare, while also increasing risks for LGBTQI+ persons, human rights defenders, journalists, and advocacy organisations in Ghana.

29/05/2026

🚨 URGENT UPDATE: Ghana’s Parliament Accelerates Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

On Thursday, 28th May 2026, the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs presented its report on the "Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill" (the anti-LGBTQ+ bill) to the Parliament of Ghana, officially recommending its full passage into law.

The legislative process is being aggressively fast-tracked this week:

1. Adoption: Parliament has officially adopted the committee's report.
2. Second Reading: The bill has passed the Second Reading stage following a motion.
3. Consideration Stage: The bill is now undergoing a clause-by-clause debate and amendment phase.

Once this stage concludes, a Third Reading will take place, making the bill effectively ready for final passage.

Why the sudden rush?

Parliament is expediting the process to align with the upcoming 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, which it is hosting in Accra from June 3-6, 2026. Make no mistake: this conference is an anti-rights gathering organized to dismantle and attack women’s rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

We must remain vigilant as these fundamental human rights are threatened. Stay tuned for further updates.

29/05/2026

🚨 URGENT UPDATE: Ghana’s Parliament Accelerates Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

On Thursday, 28th May 2026, the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs presented its report on the "Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill" (the anti-LGBTQ+ bill) to the Parliament of Ghana, officially recommending its full passage into law.

The legislative process is being aggressively fast-tracked this week:

1. Adoption: Parliament has officially adopted the committee's report.
2. Second Reading: The bill has passed the Second Reading stage following a motion.
3. Consideration Stage: The bill is now undergoing a clause-by-clause debate and amendment phase.

Once this stage concludes, a Third Reading will take place, making the bill effectively ready for final passage.

Why the sudden rush?

Parliament is expediting the process to align with the upcoming 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, which it is hosting in Accra from June 3-6, 2026. Make no mistake: this conference is an anti-rights gathering organized to dismantle and attack women’s rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

We must remain vigilant as these fundamental human rights are threatened. Stay tuned for further updates.

28/05/2026

The Majority Chief Whip of the Parliament of Ghana, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, says Parliament could pass the reintroduced anti-LGBTQ bill within days once debate begins this week.

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, says Parliament could pass the reintroduced anti-LGBTQ bill within days once debate begins this week.