JustRight Ghana has strongly condemned the proposed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025, describing it as “modern-day slavery” and warning that any leader who supports it undermines their credibility on human rights issues globally.
In a statement issued on 14 April 2026, the organisation criticised former President John Dramani Mahama for publicly indicating his willingness to assent to the bill should it be passed by Parliament.
“Anti-LGBTQ legislation is modern-day slavery,” the group stated. “When you support a bill that legitimises the arrest and torture of LGBTQ persons, you forfeit the moral authority to speak about human rights anywhere else in the world.”
The statement follows a recent petition by JustRight Ghana to Lincoln University, urging the institution to withdraw an honorary doctorate scheduled to be conferred on Mr Mahama in March 2026. The group argued that his position on the bill renders him undeserving of the honour.
At the centre of the controversy is the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025, currently under consideration by Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee. The proposed legislation has generated widespread national debate. Proponents argue that it seeks to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values, while critics caution that it may erode fundamental human rights.
JustRight Ghana, in its latest statement, sought to challenge prevailing narratives about the bill, asserting that its implications extend beyond moral considerations into the private sphere of everyday life. The group warned that the bill could infringe on personal privacy and criminalise the activities of organisations.
“Are you aware that the bill invades our privacy in our own homes? Are you aware that the bill criminalises our organisations and the work we do?” the statement queried. It further suggested that the legislation could compel individuals to report suspected LGBTQ+ persons to authorities.
The organisation also highlighted provisions it claims could affect landlords, families, educators, and media practitioners. According to the group, individuals who support LGBTQ+ persons or fail to report them could face legal consequences.
Grounding its opposition in domestic law, JustRight Ghana cited the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, specifically Article 15, which guarantees human dignity, and Article 18, which protects privacy. “These are not imports. These are Ghanaian constitutional guarantees,” the statement emphasised, adding that it would pursue legal action should the bill be enacted.
The group also referenced Ghana’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Additionally, JustRight Ghana claimed that the proposed law is already having social consequences, citing increased fear and vulnerability among LGBTQ+ individuals even prior to its passage.
While acknowledging the likelihood of the bill being passed given the current political climate, the organisation maintained its opposition. “We acknowledge that today’s political forces will push for the passage of this bill. What we cannot acknowledge is its longevity,” the statement concluded.
