Ghana's parliament has once again demonstrated its legislative prowess by approving a bill that criminalises homosexuality and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities. Because nothing says 'family values' like threatening to jail people for existing.

Under the new law, identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer could land you up to three years in prison. And just to make sure everyone is policing each other, there's a 'duty to report' any prohibited acts to the police. Because nothing fosters community spirit like mandatory snitching.

Religious leaders have been leaning on President John Dramani Mahama, who still needs to sign the bill into law, to toughen up anti-gay laws since he took office last year. Because if there's one thing religion is known for, it's leading with compassion.

International organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have sharply criticised the ban, noting it puts LGBTQ+ people's lives at risk while 'encouraging citizens to surveil and denounce one another.' But hey, who needs human rights when you have tradition?

Same-sex relationships have been illegal in Ghana since the British colonial era, because nothing says 'cultural values' like keeping laws imposed by a foreign empire.

Bill sponsor Reverend John Ntim Fordjour told parliament the bill protects Ghanaian family and cultural values, making existing laws 'more robust, more encompassing, and more stringent in dealing with the practices of LGBTQI.' Even the term 'ally' could land someone in prison, because apparently supporting your friends is now a crime.

Exemptions were included for legal, media, and healthcare professionals who report on LGBTQ+ issues or provide medical services. So it's fine to talk about gay people, just don't be one.

Human Rights Watch recommended the bill be abandoned, but that's probably too sensible. Ghana passed a similar bill in 2024, but former president Akufo-Addo didn't sign it amid legal challenges. President Mahama has indicated he'd support it, stating he believes 'only two genders exist - man and woman' and marriage is between a man and a woman. Because biology is simple, but human rights are complicated.

This crackdown is part of a broader trend in Africa. Senegal approved similar legislation in March, with up to 10 years for same-sex acts, and Uganda introduced the death penalty for certain same-sex acts in 2023. Progress, apparently.