Ghana's Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Pauses for Scrutiny — West Africa Watches

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has confirmed he will not immediately sign the country's far-reaching anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, saying the bill requires careful examination before it becomes law. The announcement puts the measure in limbo months after parliament passed it in February, drawing sharp reactions from rights groups and foreign governments alike.

What Parliament Passed

The anti-LGBTQ+ bill received presidential assent in February 2024, criminalising the act of identifying as gay or engaging in LGBTQ+-associated advocacy. Anyone convicted under the new law could face up to three years in prison. Akufo-Addo stated last week that his office needs more time to review the legislation, pausing implementation despite parliament's approval. The bill's defenders argue it protects Ghanaian values and cultural sovereignty, while critics contend it stacks excessive penalties onto conduct that should not be criminalised at all.

West Africa's Parallel Movements

Ghana's犹豫 over the bill carries weight far beyond Accra. Nigeria's own Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act has been in force since 2014, imposing up to 14 years imprisonment for same-sex relationships. The two countries now represent opposite ends of a regional spectrum on LGBTQ+ rights. While Ghana debates how far to push its bill, Nigeria's existing law already subjects gay people to severe punishment. Human rights monitors say the Ghanaian proposal, if enacted in its current form, would eclipse Nigeria's in its reach, targeting not just conduct but identity itself. Cross-border pressure from international donors and foreign policy partners has intensified on both nations as a result.

Comparisons with Nigeria's 2014 Law

When Nigeria criminalised gay relationships a decade ago, the move triggered immediate diplomatic friction. Western governments cut aid programmes and imposed visa restrictions on Nigerian officials. Observers in Abuja note that similar pressure has already begun shaping Ghana's pause. The United States State Department issued a statement in March warning of consequences if the Ghanaian bill proceeds without revision. That external attention makes this moment a test case for whether African governments can resist foreign leverage on social policy.

Human Rights Groups Sound Alarm

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both called on Akufo-Addo to reject the bill outright. The groups say it violates international treaties Ghana has signed, including provisions on privacy, expression, and protection from discrimination. A joint letter from twelve international organisations warned in March that the law would "shatter" the lives of thousands of Ghanaian citizens who identify as LGBTQ+ or support their rights. Local organisations operating in Accra and Kumasi say they have already begun relocating staff due to safety fears, even before the law takes effect.

Economic Pressure Mounts

Ghana's economy faces mounting strain as it negotiates a $3 billion IMF assistance programme. Western institutions have made vague references to "governance conditions" attached to the lending, without explicitly naming LGBTQ+ policy. Nonetheless, investors and development partners have flagged concerns privately, according to officials in Accra who spoke on condition of anonymity. The link between the bill and Ghana's financing needs remains unclear, but analysts say the timing creates leverage that rights advocates have not been slow to exploit. At the same time, the Akufo-Addo administration faces domestic pressure from religious and traditionalist groups who helped push the legislation through parliament in the first place.

The Road Ahead

Akufo-Addo has not set a deadline for his review. Legal experts in Accra say the constitution grants the president thirty days to either sign or refer the bill back to parliament for further debate. That window expires in approximately six weeks, according to legislative sources in Ghana's parliament. If Akufo-Addo sends the bill back, lawmakers can opt to amend it, pass it unchanged, or abandon it entirely. The outcome will shape how Nigeria and other West African states approach similar legislation, advocates on both sides acknowledge.

What Comes Next

Nigerian LGBT+ rights organisations are closely tracking events in Accra. Lagos-based activists say a hardened stance in Ghana could reignite calls in Abuja for stricter enforcement of the 2014 act. Conversely, if Ghana moderates or drops its bill, it may embolden reformers across the region. Akufo-Addo faces a decision that extends well beyond Ghana's borders. West Africa is watching, and the pressure will only intensify as the thirty-day window narrows.