Ghana, Senegal Consider Harsher Measures Against LGBTQ People
Lawmakers and political leaders in Ghana and Senegal are considering tougher legal measures against LGBTQ people, sparking renewed debate over human rights and the treatment of sexual minorities in parts of West Africa.
Health Policy Watch, an independent global health reporting organization says Ghanaian legislators are revisiting the controversial “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values” bill, a sweeping piece of legislation that would impose stricter penalties related to same-sex relationships and LGBTQ advocacy. The proposed law includes prison sentences of up to three years for engaging in same-sex relations and between six and ten years for people accused of promoting LGBTQ activities or providing related support.
The bill was first passed by Ghana’s parliament in 2024 but failed to become law after it was not signed before the dissolution of parliament ahead of the country’s elections. It was later reintroduced in 2025 by a group of lawmakers seeking to restart the legislative process.
Supporters of the legislation say it reflects cultural and religious values widely held in Ghanaian society. However, international organizations and rights groups have strongly criticized the proposal. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned that adopting the legislation “would be tantamount to a violation of a number of human rights standards.”
Meanwhile in Senegal, the government is also moving toward tougher penalties under its existing laws criminalizing same-sex relationships. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has proposed amendments that would double the maximum prison term for same-sex acts from five years to ten years.
Presenting the proposal to lawmakers, Sonko said the revised law would apply to sexual acts between people of the same sex and could impose the harshest penalties in cases involving younger individuals.
Same-sex relationships are already illegal in Senegal under Article 319 of the country’s penal code, which currently allows prison sentences of up to five years along with financial penalties.
Human rights organizations say the proposed changes come amid a wider crackdown on LGBTQ people in the country. Reports indicate that several individuals suspected of homosexuality have recently been arrested, prompting concerns about discrimination and safety for sexual minorities.
Advocacy groups have warned that strengthening such laws could intensify stigma and violence against LGBTQ communities. Critics argue that the proposed measures risk undermining international human rights commitments and could further isolate both countries diplomatically.
The debate over LGBTQ rights in Ghana and Senegal reflects a broader divide between local cultural attitudes and international pressure from human rights organizations. While many political leaders in the region say stricter laws are necessary to uphold societal values, activists warn that the proposed measures could deepen legal and social persecution of already marginalized communities.













