LGBTQ+
President John Dramani Mahama has recently weighed in on the contentious anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Ghana. During a meeting with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference on January 14, 2025, he suggested that the bill should be sponsored by the government rather than by private members. His proposal aims to better integrate the country’s cultural values into the education system.
Mahama emphasized that a government-backed initiative would allow for a more comprehensive approach. He argued that if values promoting family and cultural integrity were effectively taught in schools, there would be less need for separate legislation to enforce these principles. “We wouldn’t need to pass a bill to enforce our family values,” he stated, advocating for a curriculum that instills these values in children from a young age.
The president acknowledged the challenges faced by the initial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill. He noted that this bill never reached the president’s desk due to various legal and procedural hurdles. Mahama explained, “The bill did not get to the president. And so, conventionally, all bills that are not signed before Parliament expires effectively die.”
Reflecting on the current state of the bill, he declared it “effectively dead” and called for renewed discussions among stakeholders. His goal is to foster a consensus on how to move forward regarding LGBTQ+ issues in Ghana. “I think we should have a conversation on it again so that all of us, if we decide to move on the way forward, we move forward with a consensus,” he added.
Mahama’s comments come at a time when the topic of LGBTQ+ rights is particularly sensitive in Ghana. The proposed bill has faced significant criticism from various human rights groups, who argue that it promotes discrimination. By suggesting a government-sponsored approach, Mahama hopes to create a more inclusive dialogue around the issue.
