Accra: The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has called on Parliament to revert to an earlier version of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQ Bill), rather than the one recently passed.
According to Ghana Web, channelonenewsonline.com, the anti-bill recently passed by the House is not what the majority of Christians and Ghanaians expected. The council indicated that while Parliament deserves commendation for the speed with which it passed the current bill, it is important to bring the bill back to ensure that Ghanaians' expectations are met.
The GPCC commended Parliament for the swift passage of the bill but expressed concerns that the legislation, in its current form, does not fulfill the expectations of the Christian community and the majority of Ghanaians. The council emphasized the importance of protecting family values, cultural heritage, and the moral fabric of society. They urged Parliament to consider the previous version of the bill, which they believe was more comprehensive and better suited to address the moral and cultural issues at stake.
The council also encouraged Parliament not to fear potential repercussions from the international community if the old bill is passed again. They affirmed their commitment to upholding the values, sovereignty, and moral well-being of Ghana, regardless of any scrutiny the process may attract domestically or internationally.
Ghana's Parliament has, for the second time, passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, on May 29, 2026. The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council is a prominent umbrella body that unites Pentecostal and charismatic churches in Ghana, including major denominations like The Church of Pentecost, Assemblies of God, Ghana, and the International Central Gospel Church.
The bill was initially passed by Parliament in 2024, but then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not assent to it, preventing it from becoming law. The reintroduced bill includes many amendments that the Minority Caucus of the House opposed, arguing that they suggest the original version of the bill submitted to the former president was flawed.
Under the amended provisions, individuals providing legal advice or representation to LGBTQ individuals, as well as journalists and media organizations reporting on LGBTQ issues, are exempt from punishment. Medical professionals offering services to LGBTQ persons are also not penalized under the law. Despite the Minority's objections, Parliament proceeded to pass the bill.