Tag: Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021

Blog, Press

Ghana’s Anglican Archbishop Rejects Criminalisation of Gay People

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

First published on Mamba Online written by Luiz De Barros

Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith says that the Anglican Church views LGBTQ+ people as children of God. (Photo: Anglican Communion / Facebook)

In a significant statement, Ghana’s Anglican Archbishop of West Africa, Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, has asserted that the church does not support the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people.

Ben-Smith, who is the Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Asante Mampong in Ghana, clarified the church’s position in an interview with the BBC.

“Our point in our province is very clear: we do not support the criminalisation of gay persons,” said the Archbishop. While acknowledging that criminalisation was the law in Ghana, he reiterated that the church does not support it. He added, nevertheless, that “we [the Anglican Church] believe that God created male and female.”

As head of the Province of West Africa, Ben-Smith leads 19 Anglican dioceses in eight countries, including Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

When asked if gay Christians would be accepted in the church in Ghana, the Archbishop replied: “They are all children of God, and God loves them.”

While claiming that homosexuality is not accepted in traditional Ghanaian culture, he also stated that LGBTQ+ people are “not new here, they have lived in this country for a long time,” adding that “we’ve lived with them and they’ve never been a problem.”

Anglican Church in Ghana previously called for review

The Archbishop’s statement follows the Anglican Church of Ghana softening its position on criminalisation several years ago.

In 2022, the House of Bishops representing the Anglican Church in Ghana said that while it supported the country’s then-pending anti-LGBTQ+ bill, “the criminalisation of sections of the bill are severe and must be reviewed.”

The bishops did not reject the bill outright. They stressed that they did not approve of homosexuality, portraying it as being in conflict with the “traditions, values, cultural and social frameworks” of Ghana.

The stance ignores pre-colonial history that reflected more diverse sexual and gender roles, including some forms of same-sex marriage among the Nzema and the Nankani people.

Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill still awaits President’s signature

Under colonial-era provisions, Ghana’s Criminal Code already criminalises consensual same-sex sexual relations with up to three years in prison.

In May, after years of efforts by anti-rights politicians and a previous version that expired, Ghana’s Parliament passed an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ bill, titled the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.

President John Mahama has yet to sign the bill, but if he does, it will criminalise simply identifying as LGBTQ+ or as an ally, with those found guilty facing three years in prison. It will further outlaw same-sex intimacy and gender-affirming medical services, also with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines.

The dissemination or publication of materials that advocate for the equality or affirmation of LGBTQ+ people will carry prison sentences of up to five years. The bill would also disband organisations that support LGBTQ+ rights and ban adoption by LGBTQ+ individuals.

The legislation passed amid criticism that public hearings on the bill lacked transparency, fairness and meaningful democratic participation.

Blog, Press

Appeal for Responsible Leadership in Ghana’s Parliament

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

IDNOWA has formally written to the Minority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana, Hon. Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, appealing for responsible leadership and urging Parliament not to use the Anti‑LGBTIQ Bill as a tool for retaliation or political pressure.

Our message is simple and grounded in Ghana’s constitutional values: every citizen deserves protection, dignity, and fairness—regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or religion.

Dear Hon. Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, Minority Leader, Parliament of the Republic of Ghana,

I extend my respectful greetings to you and your distinguished office. I am writing in my capacity as Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), an organisation committed to promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the protection of all citizens irrespective of their background, beliefs, or identity.

I wish to respectfully appeal to your good office regarding the ongoing calls for the passage of the Anti‑LGBTIQ Bill. My concern is not rooted in politics, but in the shared responsibility we all bear to safeguard Ghana’s democratic values, human dignity, and long‑standing traditions of tolerance.

IDNOWA is not advocating for special privileges or political advantage for any group. Our position is simple: every Ghanaian deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion. This principle aligns with Ghana’s constitutional commitments and with the moral foundations of our diverse cultural and faith traditions.

Historically, our ancestors lived in communities where differences were managed with wisdom rather than punishment. They did not build prisons for people based on their private lives or identities. Instead, they upheld a social fabric that valued harmony, coexistence, and respect for diversity. These values have shaped Ghana into a nation admired for its stability and humanity.

At a time when the country faces significant economic and social challenges, prioritising legislation that targets vulnerable citizens risks diverting national attention from urgent development needs. It also risks deepening divisions at a moment when unity is essential. Ghana’s reputation as a democratic, rights‑respecting nation has been earned through decades of careful leadership—leadership that you now embody in your role as Minority Leader.

I therefore appeal to your conscience, your sense of justice, and your commitment to Ghana’s democratic heritage. Your influence can help ensure that Parliament does not become a tool for retaliation or exclusion, but remains a place where every citizen feels represented and protected. This moment calls for leadership that rises above political tensions and affirms the dignity of all Ghanaians.

I trust in your wisdom and your ability to guide Parliament toward decisions that strengthen our national cohesion and uphold the values that define us as a people.

Thank you for your service to Ghana and for considering this respectful appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Davis Mac‑Iyalla

Executive Director Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

Blog, Press

 “Dead on Arrival”: Ghana’s Reintroduced Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Violates Constitution Again

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

By Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla  
Executive Director of IDNOWA

Ghana’s Parliament has, once again, reintroduced the so-called Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill—a Private Member’s Bill that seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ identities, advocacy, and even journalism. But just like its predecessor introduced in 2021, this bill is not only discriminatory—it is unconstitutional.

⚖️ Article 108: The Bill’s Fatal Flaw

Under Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament is prohibited from allowing any bill that imposes a financial burden on the State unless it is introduced by the government. This bill proposes prison sentences of up to 10 years for individuals who “promote” LGBTQ+ rights—including journalists, allies, and advocates.

That means:

  • Convicts must be housed, fed, and secured—at the taxpayer’s expense.
  • The bill is not government-sponsored, yet it mandates costly enforcement.

This is a textbook violation of Article 108. The Speaker is constitutionally barred from proceeding. Any attempt to do so undermines the integrity of Parliament and the rule of law.

📉 A Bill That Lapsed—and Should Stay Buried

The original version of this bill, introduced in 2021, lapsed without passage. It was widely condemned by legal experts, human rights defenders, and international observers. Its reintroduction in 2025 is not a revival—it’s a repetition of error.

🗣️ Legacy, Clarity, and Constitutional Courage

Let it be known: this bill is dead on arrival. No amount of posturing or moral panic can override the Constitution. Ghana’s democracy is not a playground for populist punishment. We must anchor our laws in justice, clarity, and fiscal responsibility.

To every journalist, advocate, and citizen who refuses to be silenced—stand firm. The Constitution is on your side. And to those who seek to weaponize Parliament against dignity and truth: the law has spoken. You may reintroduce the bill, but you cannot resurrect its legitimacy.

Blog, Press

IDNOWA Leads Bold Dialogue on Human Rights and Inclusion Amid Ghana’s Anti-LGBT Bill Debate

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Press Release
For Immediate Release Date: 11 August 2025 Contact: Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) Email: info@idnowa.org

IDNOWA Leads Bold Dialogue on Human Rights and Inclusion Amid Ghana’s Anti-LGBT Bill Debate

Accra, Ghana — On 4 August 2025, the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) hosted a landmark sensitization workshop aimed at promoting human rights awareness and fostering inclusive dialogue among religious and traditional leaders. The event comes at a critical time, as Ghana’s Parliament reconsiders the controversial anti-LGBT bill, raising alarm among civil society and international observers.

The workshop brought together a diverse group of faith leaders, human rights educators, and civil society representatives to explore the intersection of religion, culture, and inclusion. Through presentations, group discussions, and personal storytelling, participants examined the social and legal implications of the proposed legislation and reaffirmed their commitment to dignity and equality for all.

“This workshop is not just a conversation—it’s a commitment to justice,” said Davis Mac-Iyalla, Executive Director of IDNOWA. “We must continue to challenge exclusionary narratives and empower leaders to stand for compassion and equality.”

IDNOWA has been at the forefront of promoting inclusion across West Africa, using interfaith dialogue to dismantle stigma and build bridges between communities. The organization’s ongoing efforts include educational outreach, advocacy campaigns, and strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders.

Key Outcomes:
Increased empathy and understanding among religious leaders.

Commitments to promote inclusive practices within faith communities.

Heightened awareness of the anti-LGBT bill’s risks to civil liberties.

Recommendations:
Continued engagement through follow-up workshops.

Development of tailored educational materials for faith communities.

Strengthened partnerships with advocacy groups to support inclusive policy dialogue.

This workshop underscores IDNOWA’s unwavering dedication to human rights and its strategic role in shaping a more inclusive West Africa.

For interviews, media inquiries, or further information, please contact: IDNOWA Communications Team 📧 info@idnowa.org 🌐 Visit our press page

Blog, Press

Sitting Tall: Gay Chief Davis Mac Iyalla’s Queer Leadership in the Heart of Ghana

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Article by Nompilo Gwala – Mamba Online.com

Davis Mac Iyalla, a queer spiritual leader and out gay chief in Ghana, embodies defiant visibility and ancestral wisdom in equal measure

Ghana’s Parliament has reopened debate on one of Africa’s toughest anti LGBTQ+ bills, just a year after the previous version expired without presidential assent.

The reintroduced Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to raise prison terms for same sex intimacy and criminalise “promotion” of queer rights.

Yet even as legislators press ahead, a very different story is unfolding in the fishing town of Yamonransa on the country’s Cape Coast.

There, Nana Kwaku Gyasi, Chief Davis Mac Iyalla, who is also Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), is teaching that visibility itself can be an act of love.

“I came out the day I was born”

Mac Iyalla rejects western notions of a single, dramatic “coming out.”

“I came out to the world the day I was born,” he tells MambaOnline. “My concept of coming out is about speaking out, using your voice to challenge injustice.”

That conviction first catapulted him into headlines a quarter century ago, when he confronted the Anglican Church of Nigeria over its homophobia.

Today he carries the same fire into Ghanaian life, defiantly testifying before Parliament against the anti-LGBTQ+ bill and preaching inclusion from pulpits across West Africa.

Chosen by the ancestors

Three years ago, Mac Iyalla was lifted onto a traditional palanquin (also known as a litter, used to carry chiefs, kings, and other important figures during ceremonies and festivals) and installed as Amankorehen (development chief) of Yamonransa.

Some rival chiefs tried, literally, to topple him; the palanquin collapsed and tabloids declared that “the gods had rejected” a gay chief.

The activist tells a very different story: “I was chosen by the ancestors,” he says. “If homosexuality were truly a taboo, I would never have been allowed to sit on the stool.” (In Ghanaian chieftaincy, the stool is not just a seat but a central symbol of leadership and authority.)

His stool still stands. So do his community projects: youth apprenticeships, widows’ micro grants and IDNOWA’s dialogue circles that bring imams, pastors and traditional priests to the same table.

Chief Davis Mac Iyalla being carried on a traditional palanquin used during ceremonies and festivals

An out gay chief changing hearts at village level

While urban activists tweet and rally, Mac Iyalla works face to face with local “gate keepers”, chiefs, queen mothers and clan elders whose word shapes daily life.

“Most people don’t care about my sexuality,” he explains. “They care about the development I bring.”

That pragmatism is paying off. Elders who once kept silent now greet him publicly; church women volunteer at IDNOWA food drives; parents ask how to protect queer children rather than punish them.

“Changing attitudes takes time,” the chief says, “but conversations have begun, and that is huge for West Africa.”

Faith without fear

For Mac Iyalla, queer joy is inseparable from spirituality. IDNOWA’s credo is simple: “All humans are born free and equal.”

Founded in 2016, the network spans 11 West African countries, equipping clergy and activists to confront religiously framed homophobia with scripture, history and Ubuntu ethics.

Last September, Mac Iyalla preached in the Netherlands, urging Christians to “reshape the world by speaking out against all forms of injustice.”

A message to queer African youth

“You are not a taboo. You are not ‘un-African’. Same sex love existed on this continent long before colonial missionaries,” Mac Iyalla asserts.

“If God and your ancestors are with you, no weapon fashioned by anti gender movements will succeed.”

He urges young people who feel safe enough to “take the risk and be counted,” while reminding them that leadership also happens quietly, in classrooms, clinics and marketplaces where queer Africans already serve.

Why this story matters

Mac Iyalla’s journey does not erase Ghana’s political peril, but it illuminates a parallel reality: LGBTQ+ Ghanaians are farmers, teachers, chiefs and prayer leaders. They are “everywhere,” as he likes to say, and in many cases they are thriving.

In a season when anti queer rhetoric dominates headlines, Chief Davis Mac Iyalla stands as living proof that African tradition can coexist with and celebrate queer identity. His life invites us to imagine a future in which ancestral stools make room for every kind of child born to the continent.

Until that day arrives, he will keep doing what chiefs are meant to do: build, protect and speak the truth. And that, in itself, is queer joy.

Blog, Press

Rightify Ghana’s Director meeting with The Pope

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

On Tuesday, August 14, 2024, Rightify Ghana’s Director had the honour of meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican.

With LGBTQI+ criminalisation rising in Africa, and Ghana’s anti-LGBTQI+ bill pending, we shared our experiences as queer individuals in Ghana and expressed gratitude to the Pope for his progressive stance, especially his opposition to violence and discrimination.

Pope Francis encouraged us to “keep fighting for your rights,” and that’s exactly what we will do.

We’re also grateful for the meaningful gifts we received—they will always hold a special place for us.

Blog, Press

I’d rather die than protect LGBTQ+ rights – Speaker Bagbin

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

 by Osumanu Al-Hassan first published on MyPublisher24

Speaker of the Ghana Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reaffirmed his commitment to opposing the legalization of LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.

He disclosed this at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church in Oyarifa, Accra, during its Patronal Feast Day.

Rt Hon Bagbin declared that he would rather die than support LGBTQ+ rights, which he believes are driven by negative forces and should not be accepted in Ghana.

He criticized European countries for promoting homosexuality in the African continent and urged the Catholic community to disregard media claims that the Pope has endorsed LGBTQ+ activities.

Speaker Bagbin stated that LGBTQ+ rights do not exist anywhere in the world and will not be legalized in Ghana during his tenure.

“Let me say that, as a Catholic, I will not do anything that will end the world and as I always say, I prefer to die fighting against these homosexual activities than to protect their so-called rights,” the Speaker of Parliament said.

The anti-gay bill, which promotes traditional family values, has been passed by Parliament and is awaiting the President’s assent to become law.

Rt Hon Bagbin praised the Catholic Church for its support and contributions to national development, particularly in education, health, and social services.

He highlighted the Church’s role in advocating for social justice and human rights, including efforts to abolish the death penalty and criminalize witchcraft accusations.

“Let me commend the church for taking the principled stand of speaking out against injustice and championing the cause of the marginalized. This important role by the church ensures that the nation moves towards greater equity and inclusion, creating a just society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

“Indeed, it is an open secret that many of the schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations that provide essential services, especially in underserved communities in Ghana have been led by the Church. These institutions do not only address the immediate needs of the people but also empower individuals through education and healthcare, thus contributing to a more informed and healthier populace,” Speaker Bagbin added.

He urged the Church to continue pressing the Executive to pass important legislation, such as the Armed Forces Amendment Act and laws against witchcraft accusations. Bagbin also donated GHS20,000 towards the Church’s new chapel project, emphasizing the importance of promoting ethical and moral values.

In his sermon, Most Rev. John Kobina Louis encouraged church members to seek the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for wisdom and endurance.

The Church’s Pastoral Council Chairman, Henry Adjei expressed gratitude to Rt Hon Bagbin and the Auxiliary Bishop for their support.

According to him, the Church started 28 years ago and has a congregation of over 1,500 members, noting that, the new chapel project is estimated to host over 2000 congregations when completed and assured that the Speaker and the Bishop would be invited for commissioning.

Blog, Press

Open Letter to the Ghana Catholic Bishops

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Open Letter from the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa to the Most Rev.
Philip Naameh, Chair of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference

05 March 2024

Dear Most Rev. Philip Naameh,

We urge you and the Catholic bishops in Ghana to reconsider your stance toward the now-passed “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024.” Ask the President not to assent to it. Pledge to support LGBT+ Ghanaians with human rights advocacy and pastoral care. Take back the religious independence which this Act wrongfully arrogates to the civil authority.

We urge you and your fellow bishops to read the Act carefully. This Act criminalizes people who “hold out as” LGBT+ (section 4.1). It criminalizes spiritual caregivers, family, and friends, who do not immediately report LGBT+ people to the police (sections 4 and 17). And it protects anti-LGBT+ media which styles itself as a “response to any form of advocacy or activism,” no matter how “graphic” or hateful that media may be

  • Criminalizing people on the basis of their inward dispositions is wrong. As Pope Francis stated on 5 February, 2023: “Criminalising people with homosexual
    tendencies is an injustice.” We urge you to follow the Pope’s leadership.
  • LGBT+ people often share their thoughts and their struggles with spiritual
    caregivers, family, and friends. Forcing these caregivers to report LGBT+ people
    to the police is a shocking overreach of government power. How can spiritual
    leaders like yourselves tolerate such a provision in the law?
  • Giving sanction to graphic anti-LGBT+ propaganda in education, instruction, and
    public media encourages hatred and violence. To support this kind of legalized
    vitriol is to cry “Peace! Peace!” where there is no peace (Jer 6:14).

Your support for this Act has created panic among many of the LGBT+ people of Ghana, and among many of the people who love them. Those who look to you for action are desperate. Many turn to the Church as a last place of refuge and support. Do not chase souls away. Do not lead our society into greater conflict and vitriol. Do not abandon the persecuted, and lead their persecutors astray.

IDNOWA affirms the teaching of the Catholic Church that LGBT+ people “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity;” that “every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided” (CCC 2358).

We believe that our sexual orientations and gender identities belong to God’s creation and are part of his plan for the salvation of humankind, while the Magisterium of the Catholic Church teaches that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered” and that “under no circumstances can they be approved” (CCC 2357). On this we disagree.
But we affirm with you the Magisterium’s teaching on the dignity of LGBT+ people: “It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society.” No matter what a person may “hold out” to be, “the intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law” (Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, 10). On this, all people of good will should agree.

Now that the Act has been passed by Parliament, the Ghanaian government has begun to weigh its costs and its dangers. The bishops, too, should weigh its effects very carefully.

We urge you to ask the President not to assent to it.

We urge you to pledge your support for the human rights of LGBT+ Ghanaians; and for their right to access pastoral care and personal counselling in freedom.

If this law gains Presidential assent, we urge you to support LGBT+ Ghanaians and the people who love them with legal assistance. Give them lawyers and legal support when they are arrested and jailed under this unjust and un-Christian law.

In the past several years, IDNOWA has made efforts to engage with you and the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, but we have never received an invitation to further dialogue. In the spirit of synodality, ask us to talk with you. Walk together with us, so that you can hear the voices of LGBT+ Ghanaians – both Catholic and non-Catholic. Let us together build a more peaceful, more just society.


Sincerely, Davis Mac Iyalla
Executive Director of Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa interfaithdiversitynowa@gmail.com

Blog, Events, Press

IDNOWA visits the Centre for Religion and Public Life, Ghana

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

IDNOWA’s Executive Director, Davis Maclyalla paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Director and staff of the Centre for Religion and Public Life Ghana in their Accra office on Tuesday, 30th January 2024. IDNOWA visited the centre to discuss collaboration and to explore avenues for providing inclusive, safe, and pastoral care for marginalised people in Ghana, mostly the LGBT+ people. IDNOWA was well received, and we presented the CRPL-Ghana team with copies of our booklet, where we have documented the violation of the human rights of LGBT+ persons in Ghana. There is much evidence to engage parliamentarians and government to state why the anti gay bill shouldn’t be passed .

Blog, Press

Ghana Cardinal Peter Turkson: It’s time to understand homosexuality

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

by Redaction Africannews -Taken from Africannews – https://www.africanews.com/2023/11/27/ghana-cardinal-peter-turkson-its-time-to-understand-homosexuality/

A prominent Ghanaian priest, cardinal Peter Turkson of the Roman Catholic church has spoken against criminalizing homosexuality, challenging the proposed bill in Ghana’s parliament that seeks severe penalties for the LGBTQ+ community.

This statement contradicts the position of other Roman Catholic bishops in Ghana who have labelled homosexuality a crime.

The backdrop of this discussion involves ongoing parliamentary debates on a bill that could lead to three-year prison sentences for identifying as LGBT, with up to 10 years for those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Cardinal Turkson’s perspective diverges from the traditional stance of the Church, aligning more closely with Pope Francis, who recently indicated openness to blessing same-sex couples.

However, the Pope clarified that the Church still considers same-sex relationships as “objectively sinful” and does not endorse same-sex marriage.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Cardinal Turkson emphasized the need for education to foster understanding of homosexuality, asserting that LGBT individuals should not be criminalized since they have committed no crime.

Despite acknowledging cultural nuances, Cardinal Turkson criticized the influence of foreign donations on African countries’ anti-LGBT measures, cautioning against imposing positions on cultures not ready to accept them.

This commentary comes amid similar legislative developments in other African nations, such as Uganda, where a law proposing life imprisonment and even death penalties for homosexuality has raised international concerns.

Cardinal Turkson, the first-ever Ghanaian cardinal appointed in 2003, holds a prominent position as the chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences.

Additional sources • BBC