Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, commonly known as the anti-gay bill, introducing new exemptions that protect lawyers, journalists and health professionals from punishment when acting within their professional duties. Reports on the passage say the bill still criminalises LGBTQ-related activities, but now excludes legal representation, media work and healthcare services connected to affected persons.
Under the revised provisions, lawyers offering legal advice or representation to persons identified as LGBTQ will not be sanctioned. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ issues as part of their professional work are also exempt, while doctors, counsellors, psychologists and surgeons providing healthcare services to such persons are likewise protected from prosecution under the bill.
The amendments triggered disagreement in Parliament, with the Minority Caucus objecting to the new exemptions during proceedings. According to reports, the Minority argued that the changes exposed weaknesses in the earlier draft that had been presented for presidential assent, insisting that the previous version could have undermined constitutional rights and professional obligations.
Despite those objections, the Majority pushed the bill through Parliament. The legislation remains one of the most controversial in Ghana in recent years, drawing mixed reactions from religious groups, civil society organisations, human rights advocates and sections of the international community.
The bill’s passage is expected to renew debate over the balance between Parliament’s stated family-values objectives and concerns about constitutional rights, professional duties and Ghana’s international human rights obligations.
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