The Parliament has passed the controversial and much awaited Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025. This follows adoption of a number of amendments to the old bill passed by the 8th parliament without receiving assent from President Akufo-Addo. popularly referred to as the anti-gay bill, following the adoption of amendments.
The bill popularly known as the anti-gay bill seeks to proscribe activities of the LGBTQI+ community. The newly passed bill however contains a number of exemptions aimed at protecting certain individuals and institutions from sanctions under the law.
Under the amended bill, persons who offer legal advice or legal representation to individuals identified as LGBTQ will not face punishment. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related matters or current affairs in the course of their professional duties are also exempted.
In addition, medical professionals, including those providing surgical, psychological, counselling, or other healthcare services to LGBTQ persons, will not be penalised under the legislation.
Again the intersex community is fully exempted from the new legislation.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin had revealed President Mahama assured him of his assent once the bill is passed.
Parliament through the clerk is expected to transmit the passed bill to the President for his assent in the coming days once all the amendments carried are incorporated into newly passed bill.
It was at this stage in 2024 that President Akufo-Addo refused to sign the bill or return it to parliament with his reasons for refusing to sign per dictates of the constitution citing legal suits at the Supreme Court which were subsequently dismissed.
The bill was privately sponsored by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Samuel Nartey George, Alhassan Suhuyini, Hassan Tampuli, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor among others.
Below is the newly passed bill:
