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LGBT Rights in Central
Region

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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Central

?

Homosexual activity in Central is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Since Jun 16, 2026
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Up to 10 years in prison
Details
Sources:
www.msn.com/en-in/news/worl…
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1892–Jan 12, 1960
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Under British law, homosexuality was criminalized in Ghana in 1892; the maximum penalty was life imprisonment.
Details
Sources:
books.google.com/books/abou…
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Same-sex marriage in Central

?

Same-sex marriage in Central is banned.

Current status
Since Jan 12, 1960
Banned
Same sex marriage is not recognized in Ghana
Details
Sources:
www.loc.gov/law/help/crimin…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Central

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Central is state-enforced.

Current status
Since May 20, 2021
State-enforced
In Ghana, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, in 2021, 21 LGBTIQ+ activists were arrested for “promoting” LGBTIQ+ advocacy, significantly hampering LGBTIQ+ expression. Attempts to criminalise advocacy more directly have also been proposed.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
www.thepinknews.com/2021/05…
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Until May 19, 2021
No censorship
Until 2021, there was no known censorship or restriction on LGBTIQ+ expression, advocacy or topics in Ghana.
Details
Sources:
www.thepinknews.com/2021/05…
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Right to change legal gender in Central

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Right to change legal gender in Central is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
It's impossible to change one's legal gender marker in Ghana.
Details
Sources:
www.newsghana.com.gh/woman-…
database.ilga.org/ghana-lgbti
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Gender-affirming care in Central

?

Gender-affirming care in Central is banned.

Current status
Since 1996
Banned
illegal not allowed
Details
Sources:
illegal not allowed
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Until 1996
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Details
Sources:
www.rhsupplies.org/uploads/…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Central

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Central is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no legal recognition.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/ghana-lgbti
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Hate crime protections in Central

?

Hate crime protections in Central is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Ghana does not provide hate crime protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Details
Sources:
rightifyghana.org/2025/09/1…
policehumanrightsresources.…
www.mint.gov.gh/wp-content/…
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LGBT discrimination in Central

?

LGBT discrimination in Central is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2008
Illegal in some contexts
Some protections based on sexual orientation.

The Electronic Transactions Act (2008) protects sexual orientation as personal information.

The interpretation of the Data Protection Act (2012) establishes protection of the sexual orientation of the data subject as "special personal data".
Details
Sources:
opencontentghana.wordpress.…
(page 64)
nca.org.gh/wp-content/uploa… (page 50)

www.hrw.org/video-photos/in…
www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/26…

ghanapsychologycouncil.gov.…
ghanapsychologycouncil.gov.…
ghs.gov.gh/wp-content/uploa…
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Until 2008
No protections
Until 2008, there were no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Ghana
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/pdfid/44bf…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Central

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LGBT employment discrimination in Central is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ghana, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Central

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Central is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ghana, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Same-sex adoption in Central

?

Same-sex adoption in Central is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Same-sex couples or people are not allowed to adopt children in Ghana.
Details
Sources:
Same-sex couples or people are not allowed to adopt children in Ghana.
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Intersex infant surgery in Central

?

Intersex infant surgery in Central is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Ghana.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/ghana-lgbti
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Serving openly in military in Central

?

Serving openly in military in Central is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Lesbian couples are banned from serving.
Details
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
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Blood donations by MSMs in Central

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Blood donations by MSMs in Central is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
According to the National Ghana Blood Service, people in homosexual relationships are banned from donating blood.
Details
Sources:
nbs.gov.gh/blood-donors-blo…
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Conversion therapy in Central

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Conversion therapy in Central is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned in Ghana and is widespread.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Equal age of consent in Central

?

Equal age of consent in Central is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal.
Details
Sources:
Homosexuality is not illegal.
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Equality Index ?
11 / 100
Legal Rights
5 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Central to help improve its accuracy.
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Central LGBT Organizations

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Western, Ghana

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Common queries:
  • Is it illegal to be gay in Central?
  • Is homosexuality legal in Central?
  • Is gay marriage legal in Central?

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