Equity Net Ghana Moves to Tackle Hate Speech, Discrimination Ahead of Family Values Bill

Equity Net Ghana has launched a project aimed at countering hate speech and discrimination against women, children, gender groups and sexual minority groups within the African setting, particularly Ghana.

The initiative, which has previously engaged religious leaders, student journalists and media practitioners, seeks to promote a more informed public discourse grounded in human rights and the laws of Ghana. As part of the project, participants are being engaged on the Human Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, with discussions focusing on its provisions and potential implications for citizens.

According to the facilitator of the program, Madam Modupe A. Nukunu, the 2025 Bill contains 19 clauses, with some amendments compared to the previous version exempting legal experts, academics, media practitioners and journalists from extreme consequences for interacting with the bill.

The facilitator stressed the importance of journalists and media professionals understanding the content of the Bill so they can properly explain its provisions to the public.
She noted that media practitioners have a responsibility to educate citizens on the real implications of the legislation, particularly if it is eventually assented to by the President.

The engagement further emphasized that increased public education and accurate reporting could help citizens better understand the Bill while reducing the risk of abuse, victimization and stigmatization.

Equity Net Ghana is therefore urging media practitioners to take a responsible approach to reporting on the legislation and related human rights issues devoid of sensationalism to the public.