President John Dramani Mahama has declared that he will assent to the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LBGTQ+ bill, if Parliament passes it.
The President made the commitment on Tuesday when a delegation from the Christian Council of Ghana paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.
Reaffirming his long-held stance on family and moral values, President Mahama stated that gender is determined at birth and that the traditional family unit remains the cornerstone of Ghanaian society.
“A person’s gender is determined at birth, and the family is the foundation of our nation. That is our position. So there are no questions or equivocations about what we believe,” he told the religious leaders.
He stressed that his position is fully aligned with that of the Christian Council.
“I believe that we are completely aligned with the Christian Council in terms of your belief,” President Mahama added.
President Mahama also endorsed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent directive for the bill to be relaid before Parliament to allow for further debate and possible amendments.
“We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done,” he said.
He, however, made it clear that the final decision rests with the legislature and the people of Ghana.
“If the Parliament of the people of Ghana endorses the bill, votes on it and passes it, and it comes to me as President, I will sign it,” President Mahama declared.
The bill, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy, was passed by Parliament in February 2024 but expired with the 8th Parliament owing to legal challenges and delays in transmission to the Presidency. The Supreme Court is currently hearing multiple suits challenging its constitutionality.
The Christian Council delegation commended the President for his “clear and unwavering” stance on the protection of Ghana’s family values.