Ghana’s parliament on Friday approved a restrictive anti-LGBTQ law that now awaits official ratification by President John Mahama.
The sweeping legislation imposes jail terms up to three years for individuals engaging in homosexual relations within the West African nation.
Furthermore, the law mandates prison sentences of three to five years for promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBT+ activities.
The previous version passed unanimously in 2024 but lapsed after former president Nana Akufo-Addo declined to sign it.
Under the constitution, unsigned draft legislation automatically expires at the end of a parliamentary term, requiring a fresh vote.
The newly approved version retains the core provisions but introduces specific exemptions for legal, media, and healthcare professionals.
Same-sex relationships have been illegal since the British colonial era, though active prosecutions have historically remained nonexistent.
International organizations and human rights groups have strongly condemned the bill as a severe violation of basic human rights.
President Mahama previously affirmed his stance in February 2025, stating his belief that marriage exists strictly between man and woman.