Ghana's parliament has passed a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill that criminalises homosexuality with penalties of up to three years imprisonment, making it one of the strictest such laws in West Africa. The legislation, sponsored by MP John Ntim Fordjour, was passed with broad cross-party support, reflecting the deep social conservatism that characterises Ghanaian public opinion on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. President John Dramani Mahama signalled his support for the bill's underlying principles, stating: 'I believe in the principles and values that only two genders exist - man and woman - and that marriage is between a man and a woman.' His comments indicate the bill is likely to receive presidential assent, though international pressure and legal challenges could still complicate its implementation. The legislation has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organisations and Western governments, who argue it violates fundamental rights to privacy, non-discrimination, and freedom of expression. However, attempts to influence Ghanaian domestic policy from abroad have historically provoked a backlash, with many Ghanaians viewing such interventions as neo-colonial imposition of Western values. The bill follows similar legislative moves across sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act. Critics warn that the legislation will drive LGBTQ+ Ghanaians further underground, making them more vulnerable to violence, blackmail, and exploitation. Health advocates have also expressed concern that the criminalisation could undermine HIV prevention programmes that rely on reaching marginalised communities. The bill must now receive presidential assent before becoming law.