The Center for Religion and Public Life (CRPL-Ghana) has strongly opposed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, urging Parliament to reject it entirely over concerns of discrimination, human rights violations, and threats to national cohesion.
In a memorandum submitted to Parliament’s constitutional and human rights committees, the interfaith civil society organization argued that the Bill is “grievously and deadly discriminatory,” warning that its passage could trigger widespread injustice and abuse.
“We want to register our honest and strongest opposition to the Bill in its entirety and call for its rejection,” the group stated.
CRPL-Ghana contends that the proposed legislation risks fueling violence and marginalization, potentially leading to “physical, psychological, religious, or emotional” harm, alongside broader public health challenges.
The group further grounded its opposition in religious teachings, arguing that the Bill contradicts core principles of love, dignity, and equality upheld in both Christianity and Islam.
“The Bill does not honor the dignity of the human person… nor the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ on love, justice, peace, unity, mercy, grace, reconciliation, and equality,” the memorandum said.
It also cited Islamic teachings, noting that compassion and empathy are central to faith and should guide public policy.
On the contentious issue of procreation, CRPL-Ghana dismissed arguments linking LGBTQ+ identities to reproductive outcomes as “misleading religious hermeneutics.”
“Procreation is a matter of individual choice… and not an obligation,” the group stressed, referencing biblical teachings.
The organization also rejected comparisons between LGBTQ+ individuals and criminals, describing such narratives as dangerous and unfounded.
“Comparing LGBT+ with armed robbery… is inappropriate,” it noted, adding that criminal acts like pedophilia must be addressed independently of sexual orientation.
CRPL-Ghana raised additional concerns about the Bill’s implications for professional ethics, particularly around mandatory reporting requirements.
“What is the morality of parents, pastors, doctors… reporting children or patients to the police?” the statement questioned.
The group further warned that the Bill could undermine academic freedom, cautioning that it may criminalize research and restrict scholarly inquiry.
“We see it as an infringement on academic freedom under the 1992 Constitution,” it said.
Culturally, the organization argued that Ghana cannot rely on a single, unified tradition to justify such legislation.
“What is taboo in one culture may not be in another… we cannot use any one particular culture as the overriding standard,” the memorandum explained.
CRPL-Ghana also criticized the lack of public education on the Bill, saying many citizens are unaware of its full implications.
“Ghanaians deserve to know what they are signing for,” it emphasized.
The group ultimately called for broader consultations involving religious leaders, civil society, and the general public to build consensus.
“The developments surrounding the Bill require wisdom, steadiness, and spiritual courage… not performative advocacy,” it added.
CRPL-Ghana concluded by urging lawmakers to adopt a more compassionate and inclusive approach, recognizing the potential contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to national development.
“We pray that we can see LGBT+ individuals as people with the potential to contribute positively to society,” the statement concluded.
