Ghana is once again at a critical moment in its history.

On May 29, 2026, Parliament passed the reintroduced Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. The legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and impose restrictions on advocacy, promotion and funding relating to LGBTQ+ issues. However, it has not yet become law and remains subject to the constitutional process and presidential consideration.

I am writing not merely as a Ghanaian citizen, but as a Pharmaceutical Technologist and a person who believes deeply in the importance of human dignity, compassion and responsible healthcare.

I oppose this Bill because I believe that legislation should protect society without creating an environment in which vulnerable people become targets of fear, discrimination, violence and exclusion.

What kind of Ghana do we want?

This debate is often presented as a simple battle between those who support "family values" and those who support LGBTQ+ people. I believe that framing is too simplistic.

Ghanaians can hold different religious, cultural and moral beliefs about sexuality. Those beliefs deserve to be expressed freely. But the existence of disagreement does not automatically justify turning a particular group of people into criminals or making it dangerous for others to provide them with support.

We must ask ourselves a more fundamental question:

Does criminalising people make Ghana a safer, healthier and more united country?

I do not believe it does.

A society can uphold its cultural and religious values without abandoning compassion. We can disagree with someone's lifestyle without denying their humanity. We can defend the family without creating legislation that encourages suspicion, denunciation and hostility among citizens.

The public-health consequences cannot be ignored

As someone who works in healthcare, this is particularly important to me.

Healthcare depends upon trust.

A patient must be able to walk into a hospital, pharmacy, clinic or counselling service and speak honestly about their health without fearing humiliation, exposure or punishment.

If people believe that revealing aspects of their identity or relationships could put them at risk of legal consequences, some may choose silence instead of seeking medical assistance.

That is dangerous.

Patients should not avoid healthcare because they are afraid of being judged. Healthcare professionals need accurate information from patients in order to provide appropriate care. Public health becomes weaker when vulnerable populations become afraid of institutions that are supposed to protect them.

The revised Bill does provide exemptions for certain professionals, including medical professionals providing specified services. But the existence of an exemption does not automatically eliminate the fear and stigma that legislation can create.

As healthcare workers, our responsibility is to treat patients with professionalism and dignity. We should not have to work in an environment where patients fear that seeking help could expose them to social or legal consequences.

The danger of criminalising support

Another deeply concerning aspect of the proposed legislation is its treatment of advocacy, promotion and support.

A democracy should be able to tolerate disagreement.

If I disagree with another person's beliefs, I should be able to say so. If another Ghanaian believes differently from me, they should also be able to express that position.

That is part of democratic society.

But legislation that makes advocacy or support potentially punishable creates a chilling effect far beyond the LGBTQ+ community itself. Journalists, researchers, civil-society organisations, educators, lawyers, healthcare workers, family members and ordinary citizens may become increasingly cautious about discussing LGBTQ+ issues.

That does not strengthen democracy.

My appeal to President Mahama

Mr President, when this Bill comes before you, I urge you to consider more than the political pressure surrounding it.

Consider the Ghanaian patient who may be afraid to seek medical care.

Consider the young person who may already feel isolated.

Consider the healthcare professional trying to provide care according to professional ethics.

Consider the parent who may be struggling to understand their child.

Consider the journalist, researcher, lawyer or ordinary citizen who may fear speaking openly.

Consider the Ghana we will leave for our children.

Leadership is not simply about signing legislation that is popular with a section of the population. Leadership sometimes means protecting constitutional principles and vulnerable citizens even when doing so is politically difficult.

We can disagree without destroying one another

I am Ghanaian.

I love my country.

I respect Ghana's cultural, religious and traditional values.

And precisely because I care about Ghana, I believe we must be careful about laws that have the potential to deepen division and fear.

Our national motto is "Freedom and Justice."

Those words should mean something.

Freedom cannot belong only to people with whom we agree.

Justice cannot depend on whether we approve of someone's identity.

And human dignity should not be conditional.

Ghana does not need more hatred. Ghana needs better healthcare, stronger families, greater economic opportunity, accountable leadership and a society in which people can disagree without becoming enemies.

I therefore respectfully call on the President, Parliament and all Ghanaians to reconsider the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill and reject provisions that criminalise LGBTQ+ people, advocacy or legitimate support.

Let us protect our families without creating fear.

Let us uphold our values without abandoning compassion.

Let us disagree without dehumanising one another.

And let us build a Ghana where the law protects human dignity rather than turning vulnerable citizens into targets.

Ghana deserves better.