Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has pushed back against suggestions that amendments have diluted Ghana's Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. He stated on May 29, 2026, that the bill's core goals remain firmly in place. The legislation aims to prohibit LGBTQ+ practices and advocacy in Ghana.
Ayariga explained that certain amendments were made to ensure the bill's provisions would stand up to legal challenges. He noted that reporting on LGBTQ+ matters by media houses is unlikely to be prosecuted. He also stated that lawyers defending individuals accused under the law would not face punishment.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill follows months of significant public debate and international attention. It seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and the promotion of what it terms non-conventional relationships. This bill fits into a broader conversation about cultural values and legal frameworks in Ghana.
“I am convinced that any court in this country would have struck down any attempt to prosecute a media house for reporting on a matter relating to LGBTQ,” Mr Ayariga stated. He added, “And I am definitely convinced that no court would have tolerated the punishment of a lawyer who attempts to provide legal services in defense of a person practicing LGBTQ.”
The core prohibitions of the bill remain intact. This suggests a strong legislative intent to enforce the law as passed. Future legal challenges will likely focus on how these prohibitions interact with existing human rights guarantees. The implications for public discourse and individual freedoms are significant.