LGBT Rights in Western
Region

💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Western is lacking public opinion data.

Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Western by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Have you lived in or visited Western?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Western.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Western

?

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

Current status
Since Jun 16, 2026
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Up to 10 years in prison
Report error  ·  Log
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.
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Western

?

Same-sex marriage in Western is banned.

Current status
Since Jan 12, 1960
Banned
Same sex marriage is not recognized in Ghana
Report error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Western

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Western 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.
Until May 19, 2021
No censorship
Until 2021, there was no known censorship or restriction on LGBTIQ+ expression, advocacy or topics in Ghana.
Report error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Western

?

Right to change legal gender in Western is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
It's impossible to change one's legal gender marker in Ghana.

Gender-affirming care in Western

?

Gender-affirming care in Western is banned.

Current status
Since 1996
Banned
illegal not allowed
Sources:
illegal not allowed
Report error  ·  Log
Until 1996
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Report error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Western

?

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no legal recognition.
Report error  ·  Log

Hate crime protections in Western

?

Hate crime protections in Western is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Ghana does not provide hate crime protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

LGBT discrimination in Western

?

LGBT discrimination in Western is no protections.

Current status
Since 2008
No protections
No protections based on sexual orientation.
Sources:
No protections based on sexual orientation.
Report error  ·  Log
Until 2008
No protections
Until 2008, there were no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Ghana
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Western

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Western is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ghana, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Western

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Western is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ghana, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Western

?

Same-sex adoption in Western is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Same-sex couples or people are not allowed to adopt children in Ghana.
Sources:
Same-sex couples or people are not allowed to adopt children in Ghana.
Report error  ·  Log

Intersex infant surgery in Western

?

Intersex infant surgery in Western is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Ghana.
Report error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Western

?

Serving openly in military in Western is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Lesbian couples are banned from serving.
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
Report error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Western

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Western 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.
Report error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Western

?

Conversion therapy in Western is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned in Ghana and is widespread.
Report error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Western

?

Equal age of consent in Western is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal.
Sources:
Homosexuality is not illegal.
Report error  ·  Log