The fourth African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty concluded in Accra, Ghana on Friday after several days of debate on the future of LGBTQ+ rights, sexuality education and human rights protections across Africa.
Hosted by the Parliament of Ghana, the conference brought together parliamentarians, political leaders, traditional authorities, faith-based organizations and civil society representatives from more than 20 African countries. Supporters described the event as a platform to defend African culture, traditional family structures and national sovereignty against foreign ideological influence.
However, critics warned that the conference has become a key platform to promote anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and roll back rights related to gender equality, reproductive health, freedom of expression and bodily autonomy.
Push for an Africa-wide “family values” charter
was at the center of the conference Draft African Charter on Family Sovereignty and ValuesA proposed framework that attempts to redefine the family in a way that excludes homosexual relationships and challenges existing human rights protections related to sexuality and gender.
According to reports, representatives of 20 African countries endorsed the charterIt is being brought closer to possible adoption at the national level and potentially within African Union structures.
South Africa and Mozambique refused to endorse the charter.
Speaking during the conference, South African MP Zandile Mazozi said The proposed charter was contrary to the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights.
He told delegates, “South Africa would like to reserve its rights not to adopt the Charter because it is contrary to the Constitution of South Africa, particularly Chapter Two.”
Mazozzi, who chairs the parliamentary group on international relations, said the charter “is not consistent with the regional and international laws that we believe in.”
Mozambique also withheld support, citing logistical constraints and the need for broader consultation and public participation before taking a final position.
Conference organizers adopted a number of recommendations aimed at advancing the implementation of the Charter, including the creation of a national parliamentary caucus on “family, sovereignty and values” and the establishment of implementation timelines.
Activists warn of coordinated anti-rights agenda
Human rights activists and civil society groups reacted with concern to the conference and accused organizers of weaponizing “family values”, culture and sovereignty to justify discrimination and exclusion.
In a joint statement Continuing at the conclusion of the conference, organizations including CHEVS, IPPF Africa Region, Outright International, GALCK+ and the African LBTIQ Caucus warned that the gathering represents a broad coordinated effort to undermine rights across the continent.
“Across the continent, we are seeing increasingly coordinated efforts to roll back sexual and reproductive rights, restrict civic spaces, weaken human rights protections, and portray LGBTQI+ people as threats to society rather than members of our communities,” the statement said.
Activists argued that African families have always been diverse and attempts to legally define only one type of family risk excluded millions from recognition and protection.
The groups also challenged claims that the conference represented authentic African resistance to foreign influence. Instead, he pointed to the involvement of well-funded conservative organizations from outside Africa, which have supported anti-LGBTQI+ campaigns across the continent.
“For years, well-resourced organizations, advocacy groups and political actors based outside the continent have invested in funding conferences and pursuing coordinated campaigns aimed at influencing African laws and policies on gender, sexuality, education and reproductive rights,” the statement said.
“So any serious conversation about foreign influence must include all sources of influence, including those operating through the family values movement.”
Ghana's anti-LGBTQ+ bill comes under scrutiny
The conference took place shortly after Ghana's Parliament passed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely condemned as one of Africa's most draconian anti-LGBTQ+ legislative proposals.
The bill now awaits a decision from President John Dramani Mahama, who has urged activists not to sign it but to make it a law.
The coalition warned that the legislation would deepen stigma, discrimination and fear while distracting from urgent national challenges like unemployment, health care and economic hardship.
“Africa's future cannot be built through boycotts,” the organizations said. “It must be built through dignity, justice, freedom, care and the recognition that our society is strongest when every person is capable.”