Regions  ▸  Africa  ▸  Ghana

LGBT Rights in Northern
Region

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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Northern

?

Homosexual activity in Northern is male illegal, female legal.

Current status
Since Jan 12, 1960
Male illegal, female legal
Under Section 104 of the Ghanaian Criminal Code of 1960 as "unnatural carnal knowledge". If the person is of 16 years or older and has consent, this is considered a misdemeanour, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 3 years as per Article 296(4) of the Criminal Procedural Code.
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/pdfid/44bf…
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Sta…
assets.publishing.service.g…
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Same-sex marriage in Northern

?

Same-sex marriage in Northern 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 Northern

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Northern is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Ghana, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Right to change legal gender in Northern

?

Right to change legal gender in Northern 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 Northern

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Gender-affirming care in Northern is restricted.

Current status
Since 1996
Restricted
In 1996, Ghana legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.

The government is trying to pass a law that seeks to ban gender affirming surgeries and access to such is difficult for trans Ghanians.
Details
Sources:
www.rhsupplies.org/uploads/…
nyuad.nyu.edu/content/dam/n…
www.amnesty.org/es/wp-conte…
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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 Northern

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Northern 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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LGBT discrimination in Northern

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LGBT discrimination in Northern is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2012
Illegal in some contexts
There is limited protecton based on sexual orientation.

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

www.hrw.org/video-photos/in…

www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/26…
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Until 2012
No protections
Until 2012, 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 Northern

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Northern is no protections.

Current status
No protections
No protections.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/ghana-lgbti
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LGBT housing discrimination in Northern

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Northern is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Same-sex adoption in Northern

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Same-sex adoption in Northern is single only.

Current status
Single only
Application for adoption may be made by a single person, but only if that person is a citizen of Ghana. Same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt children in Ghana.
Details
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/2012022…
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Intersex infant surgery in Northern

?

Intersex infant surgery in Northern 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 Northern

?

Serving openly in military in Northern 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 Northern

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Blood donations by MSMs in Northern 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 Northern

?

Conversion therapy in Northern 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 Northern

?

Equal age of consent in Northern is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is not fully illegal.
Details
Sources:
Homosexuality is not fully illegal.
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Equality Index ?
20 / 100
Legal Rights
20 / 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 Northern to help improve its accuracy.
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Northern LGBT Organizations

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